Blowing Polar Skyrmion Bubbles in Oxide Superlattices

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates reversible switching between polar skyrmion bubbles and vortex arrays in ferroelectric superlattices under electric fields, revealing a new way to control topological structures for potential applications.

Contribution

It introduces the computational design and electric field control of ferroelectric topological structures, specifically polar skyrmions and vortex arrays, in oxide superlattices.

Findings

Reversible switching between skyrmion bubbles and vortex arrays.

Construction of an electric field phase diagram showing stability regions.

Identification of a topological phase transition driven by electric fields.

Abstract

Particle-like topological structures such as skyrmions and vortices have garnered ever-increasing interests due to the rich physical insights and potential broad applications. Here we discover the reversible switching between polar skyrmion bubbles and ordered vortex arrays in ferroelectric superlattices under an electric field, reminiscent of the Plateau-Raleigh instability in fluid mechanics. Electric field phase diagram is constructed, showing wide stability window for the observed polar skyrmions. This study is a demonstration for the computational design of ferroelectric topological structures and field-induced topological phase transitions.