Evolution of the domain topology in a ferroelectric

TL;DR

This paper investigates the evolution of ferroelectric domain topology in hexagonal REMnO3, revealing that dislocation interactions drive topological condensation and symmetry breaking.

Contribution

It uncovers the primary role of partial dislocation interactions over vortex-antivortex interactions in topological domain evolution in ferroelectrics.

Findings

Dislocation interactions are key to topological condensation.

Surface depth profiling shows symmetry breaking mechanisms.

Vortex-antivortex interactions are less influential than dislocation interactions.

Abstract

Topological materials, including topological insulators, magnets with Skyrmions and ferroelectrics with topological vortices, have recently attracted phenomenal attention in the materials science community. Complex patterns of ferroelectric domains in hexagonal REMnO3 (RE: rare earths) turn out to be associated with the macroscopic emergence of Z2xZ3 symmetry. The results of our depth profiling of crystals with a self-poling tendency near surfaces reveal that the partial dislocation (i.e., wall-wall) interaction, not the interaction between vortices and antivortices, is primarily responsible for topological condensation through the macroscopic breaking of the Z2-symmetry.