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Electron beam‐induced dynamic evolution of vortex domains and domain walls in single crystalline YMnO 3
Author(s) -
Deng Shiqing,
Cheng Shaobo,
Zhang Yang,
Tan Guotai,
Zhu Jing
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of the american ceramic society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 196
eISSN - 1551-2916
pISSN - 0002-7820
DOI - 10.1111/jace.14832
Subject(s) - ferroelectricity , vortex , polarization (electrochemistry) , condensed matter physics , hexagonal crystal system , domain (mathematical analysis) , materials science , topological defect , domain wall (magnetism) , electron , cathode ray , nanotechnology , physics , optoelectronics , crystallography , chemistry , magnetic field , mechanics , quantum mechanics , mathematical analysis , mathematics , magnetization , dielectric
The ability to reversibly switch ferroelectric polarization directions with small driving force is of interest both for fundamental researches and for novel applications. Here, the dynamic evolution of vortex domains in hexagonal ferroelectric YMnO 3 is systematically demonstrated. Driven by propagations of charged domain walls ( CDWs ), vortex domains can be reversibly switched by merely utilizing electron beam irradiation. Dislocations pining at domain walls impede their motions, contributing to the irreversible evolution. Moreover, none of six ferroelectric domains in a vortex can vanish during such evolution due to the topological protection. Our results suggest that even with small external stimuli, CDWs in improper ferroelectrics can be considerably active and altered, providing a perspective on potential applications in ferroelectric storage.