Light-induced photomechanical patterning of ferroelectric polarization

TL;DR

This paper introduces a photosensitive-polymer patterning method to precisely control strain in ferroelectric membranes, enabling programmable polarization switching and domain engineering for advanced nanoscale electronic applications.

Contribution

It presents a novel approach to induce deterministic polarization rotation and reversal in ferroelectric membranes via programmable bending strain profiles.

Findings

Achieved 90° polarization rotation through engineered in-plane strain.

Demonstrated 180° polarization reversal via flexoelectric coupling.

Established programmable bending as a tool for ferroelectric landscape engineering.

Abstract

Tailoring at will polar textures in ferroelectrics is critical for the development of nanoscale electronics and functional oxide technologies. Freestanding ferroelectric membranes have enabled studies of strain-induced polarization responses, but the control over membrane shape and local polarization typically remains limited to spontaneous buckling or uniaxial mechanical deformations. In this work, we employ a versatile photosensitive-polymer patterning approach to impose programmable bending strain profiles in ferroelectric membranes. Using BaTiO3 as a model system, we demonstrate deterministic 90{\deg} polarization rotation driven by engineered in-plane strain, and 180{\deg} polarization reversal arising from flexoelectric coupling through a controlled strain gradient. These results establish this programmable bending as a powerful approach to investigate strain-dependent domain structures, leverage flexoelectric effects, and engineer custom ferroelectric landscapes across a wide range of oxide membranes.