Symmetry-Tunable Environment in Functional Ferroic Heterostructures

TL;DR

This paper introduces a reversible method to control the symmetry in oxide heterostructures using electric-field poling, enabling dynamic activation of various functionalities in ferroic trilayer devices.

Contribution

It presents a novel post-growth symmetry control technique in oxide heterostructures through layer-selective electric-field poling, monitored by optical second harmonic generation.

Findings

Reversible symmetry switching demonstrated in oxide heterostructures

Optical second harmonic generation confirms symmetry changes

Potential for activating symmetry-driven functionalities in devices

Abstract

We demonstrate a concept for post-growth symmetry control in oxide heterostructures. A functional oxide is sandwiched between two ferroelectric layers and inversion symmetry at the position of the oxide constituent is reversibly switched on or off by layer-selective electric-field poling. The functionality of this process is monitored by optical second harmonic generation. The generalization of our approach to other materials and symmetries is considered. We thus establish ferroic trilayer structures as device components in which symmetry-driven charge-, spin-, and strain-related functionalities can be activated and deactivated at will.