Dynamic control of ferroic domain patterns by thermal quenching

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how thermal quenching can dynamically control ferroic domain patterns, enabling access to otherwise unreachable configurations by tuning the quench rate and observing transient domain evolution.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of using thermal quenches to manipulate ferroic domains, revealing new pathways for domain pattern control beyond static field techniques.

Findings

Quenching rate determines final domain pattern in orthoferrite.

Transient domain evolution involves fast fragmentation and slow relaxation.

Hidden metastable domain states can be accessed via thermal quenching.

Abstract

Controlling the domain structure of ferroic materials is key to manipulating their functionality. Typically, quasi-static electric, magnetic, or strain fields are exploited to transform or pole ferroic domains. In contrast, metallurgy makes use of fast thermal quenches across phase transitions to create new functional states and domain structures. This approach employs the rapid temporal evolution of systems far from equilibrium to overcome the constraints imposed by comparably slow interactions. However, guiding the nonequilibrium evolution of domains towards otherwise inaccessible configurations remains largely unexplored in ferroics. Here, we harness thermal quenches to exert control over a ferroic domain pattern. Cooling at variable speed triggers transitions between two ferroic phases in a rare-earth orthoferrite, with transient domain evolution enabling the selection of the final domain pattern. Specifically, by tuning the quench rate, we can either generate the intrinsic domain structure of the low-temperature phase or transfer the original pattern of the high-temperature phase - creating a hidden metastable domain configuration inaccessible at thermal equilibrium. Real-time imaging during rapid quenching reveals two distinct time scales governing domain evolution: a fast fragmentation phase, followed by a slower relaxation towards a new pattern or back to the original one. This dynamic control of domain configurations, alongside external fields, strain engineering, and all-optical switching, offers a novel approach for actively manipulating ferroic order.