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Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Scanning SQUID Study of Vortex Manipulation by Local Contact
Published on: February 1, 2017
Observation of Possible Ferroelectric Vortices in Bismuth Square Islands
Sha-Sha Xue1, Shulin Zhong2, Dandan Guan1,3,4
1Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, Key Laboratory of Artificial Structures and Quantum Control (Ministry of Education), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
None:
Ferroelectric vortices, with their unique topological polarization patterns, show great potential for next-generation electronics. Although they have been observed in compounds, their realization in single-element materials has remained elusive. Here, we experimentally prepare three-bilayer Bi(110) square-shaped islands on high-TC superconductor (Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. Scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy combined with first-principles calculations suggests the possible existence of in-plane polarization and a ferroelectric vortex state in our islands, as well as reveals exceptional vortex stability against electric-field-driven switching. This work could pioneer single-element ferroelectric vortices, potentially advancing topological ferroelectrics design and expanding the understanding of related fundamental physics.
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