Photo-induced stabilization and enhancement of the ferroelectric polarization in Ba$_{0.1}$Sr$_{0.9}$TiO$_{3}$/La$_{0.7}$Ca(Sr)$_{0.3}$MnO$_{3}$ thin film heterostructures

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that optical pumping can significantly enhance and stabilize ferroelectric polarization in heterostructures of complex oxides, with potential applications in data and energy storage.

Contribution

It introduces a method of using photoexcited carriers to stabilize and enhance ferroelectric polarization in oxide heterostructures, a novel approach in the field.

Findings

Photoinduced carriers increase ferroelectric polarization.

Enhanced polarization remains stable for over a day at low temperatures.

Potential for applications in data and energy storage.

Abstract

An emerging area in condensed matter physics is the use of multilayered heterostructures to enhance ferroelectricity in complex oxides. Here, we demonstrate that optically pumping carriers across the interface between thin films of a ferroelectric (FE) insulator and a ferromagnetic metal can significantly enhance the FE polarization. The photoinduced FE state remains stable at low temperatures for over one day. This occurs through screening of the internal electric field by the photoexcited carriers, leading to a larger, more stable polarization state that may be suitable for applications in areas such as data and energy storage.