Facile Control of Ferroelastic Domain Patterns in Multiferroic Thin Films by a Scanning Tip Bias

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) is a multiferroic material with significant potential for multifield coupling and functional devices.
• The ferroelastic domain structure critically influences the properties of BiFeO3.
• Controlling the ferroelastic domain structure in BiFeO3 remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a facile method for controlling ferroelastic domain patterns in BiFeO3 thin films.
• To investigate the role of tip bias as a control parameter for domain switching.
• To explore the correlation between domain switching and electronic transport properties.

Main Methods:

• Area scanning poling of BiFeO3 thin films.
• Utilizing scanning probe microscopy experiments.
• Employing computational simulations for analysis.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated at least four distinct switching pathways in BiFeO3 thin films by solely controlling the scanning tip bias.
• Successfully wrote mesoscopic topological defects into the films without altering tip motion.
• Investigated the relationship between local conductance and the observed switching pathways.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a facile voltage-controlled method for manipulating ferroelastic domains in BiFeO3.
• This approach enhances the understanding of domain switching kinetics and coupled electronic transport.
• The findings facilitate the development of configurable electronic and spintronic devices.