Blowing polar skyrmion bubbles in oxide superlattices

Hong, Zijian; Chen, Long-Qing

doi:10.1016/j.actamat.2018.04.022

Title: Blowing polar skyrmion bubbles in oxide superlattices

Journal Article · Fri Apr 13 00:00:00 EDT 2018 · Acta Materialia

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2018.04.022· OSTI ID:1537906

^[1]; Chen, Long-Qing ^[1]

Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)

Particle-like topological structures such as skyrmions and vortices have garnered ever-increasing interests due to their rich physical insights and potential broad applications in spintronics. Here, in this work, 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. An electric field phase diagram is constructed, showing a wide stability window for the observed polar skyrmions. A “volcano”-like pontryagin density distribution is formed, indicating the formation of a smooth circular skyrmion. The topological charge Q at different applied field is calculated, verifying the field-driven topological transition between Q = 0 and Q = ±1 states. This study is a demonstration for the computational design of field-induced topological phase transitions, giving promise for the design of next-generation nanoelectronic devices.

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Research Organization:: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division (MSE); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: FG02-07ER46417

OSTI ID:: 1537906

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1496401

Journal Information:: Acta Materialia, Vol. 152, Issue C; ISSN 1359-6454

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 51 works

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