Switchable Topological Polar Textures in Freestanding Ultrathin Ferroelectric Oxides

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that ultrathin freestanding ferroelectric oxide layers can host diverse polar states and be reversibly controlled by electric fields, opening avenues for advanced ferroic devices.

Contribution

First-principles-based simulations reveal complex polar textures and electric field control in freestanding ultrathin ferroelectric oxides, a novel insight into low-dimensional oxides.

Findings

Ultrathin ferroelectric layers host liquid-like domains, helix-waves, and chiral bubbles.

Electric fields enable reversible switching of polar states.

Freestanding oxide layers are promising for future ferroic applications.

Abstract

The remarkable advances achieved in two-dimensional materials are now being directly transposed to low-dimensional oxides. Here we show using first-principles-based atomistic simulations that ultrathin freestanding ferroelectric layers host a rich variety of polar states, from liquid-like ferroelectric domains with long-range orientational order to helix-wave and chiral bubbles configurations reminiscent of those observed in twisted freestanding oxide layers. Time-dependent electric fields enable reversible control, revealing freestanding oxide layers as ideal platforms to explore complex polar states and their potential applications in future ferroic devices.