Electric and antiferromagnetic chiral textures at multiferroic domain walls

Switching the spin cycloid in BiFeO3 with an electric field

Bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) is a multiferroic material that exhibits both ferroelectricity and canted antiferromagnetism at room temperature, making it a unique candidate in the development of electric-field controllable magnetic devices. The magnetic moments in BiFeO3 are arranged into a spin cycloid, resulting in unique magnetic properties which are tied to the ferroelectric order. Previous understanding of this coupling has relied on average, mesoscale measurements. Using nitrogen vacancy-based diamond magnetometry, we observe the magnetic spin cycloid structure of BiFeO3 in real space. This structure is magnetoelectrically coupled through symmetry to the ferroelectric polarization and this relationship is maintained through electric field switching. Through a combination of in-plane and out-of-plane electrical switching, coupled with ab initio studies, we have discovered that the epitaxy from the substrate imposes a magnetoelastic anisotropy on the spin cycloid, which establishes preferred cycloid propagation directions. The energy landscape of the cycloid is shaped by both the ferroelectric degree of freedom and strain-induced anisotropy, restricting the spin spiral propagation vector to changes to specific switching events.

Voltage-based magnetization switching and reading in magnetoelectric spin-orbit nanodevices

As CMOS technologies face challenges in dimensional and voltage scaling, the demand for novel logic devices has never been greater, with spin-based devices offering scaling potential, at the cost of significantly high switching energies. Alternatively, magnetoelectric materials are predicted to enable low-power magnetization control, a solution with limited device-level results. Here, we demonstrate voltage-based magnetization switching and reading in nanodevices at room temperature, enabled by exchange coupling between multiferroic BiFeO3 and ferromagnetic CoFe, for writing, and spin-to-charge current conversion between CoFe and Pt, for reading. We show that, upon the electrical switching of the BiFeO3, the magnetization of the CoFe can be reversed, giving rise to different voltage outputs. Through additional microscopy techniques, magnetization reversal is linked with the polarization state and antiferromagnetic cycloid propagation direction in the BiFeO3. This study constitutes the building block for magnetoelectric spin-orbit logic, opening a new avenue for low-power beyond-CMOS technologies.

Ptychographic Nanoscale Imaging of the Magnetoelectric Coupling in Freestanding BiFeO3

Understanding the magnetic and ferroelectric ordering of magnetoelectric multiferroic materials at the nanoscale necessitates a versatile imaging method with high spatial resolution. Here, soft X-ray ptychography is employed to simultaneously image the ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic domains in an 80 nm thin freestanding film of the room-temperature multiferroic BiFeO3 (BFO). The antiferromagnetic spin cycloid of period 64 nm is resolved by reconstructing the corresponding resonant elastic X-ray scattering in real space and visualized together with mosaic-like ferroelectric domains in a linear dichroic contrast image at the Fe L3 edge. The measurements reveal a near perfect coupling between the antiferromagnetic and ferroelectric ordering by which the propagation direction of the spin cycloid is locked orthogonally to the ferroelectric polarization. In addition, the study evinces both a preference for in-plane propagation of the spin cycloid and changes of the ferroelectric polarization by 71° between multiferroic domains in the epitaxial strain-free, freestanding BFO film. The results provide a direct visualization of the strong magnetoelectric coupling in BFO and of its fine multiferroic domain structure, emphasizing the potential of ptychographic imaging for the study of multiferroics and non-collinear magnetic materials with soft X-rays.

Revealing emergent magnetic charge in an antiferromagnet with diamond quantum magnetometry

Whirling topological textures play a key role in exotic phases of magnetic materials and are promising for logic and memory applications. In antiferromagnets, these textures exhibit enhanced stability and faster dynamics with respect to their ferromagnetic counterparts, but they are also difficult to study due to their vanishing net magnetic moment. One technique that meets the demand of highly sensitive vectorial magnetic field sensing with negligible backaction is diamond quantum magnetometry. Here we show that an archetypal antiferromagnet-haematite-hosts a rich tapestry of monopolar, dipolar and quadrupolar emergent magnetic charge distributions. The direct read-out of the previously inaccessible vorticity of an antiferromagnetic spin texture provides the crucial connection to its magnetic charge through a duality relation. Our work defines a paradigmatic class of magnetic systems to explore two-dimensional monopolar physics, and highlights the transformative role that diamond quantum magnetometry could play in exploring emergent phenomena in quantum materials.

Defeating depolarizing fields with artificial flux closure in ultrathin ferroelectrics

Material surfaces encompass structural and chemical discontinuities that often lead to the loss of the property of interest in so-called dead layers. It is particularly problematic in nanoscale oxide electronics, where the integration of strongly correlated materials into devices is obstructed by the thickness threshold required for the emergence of their functionality. Here we report the stabilization of ultrathin out-of-plane ferroelectricity in oxide heterostructures through the design of an artificial flux-closure architecture. Inserting an in-plane-polarized ferroelectric epitaxial buffer provides the continuity of polarization at the interface; despite its insulating nature, we observe the emergence of polarization in our out-of-plane-polarized model of ferroelectric BaTiO3 from the very first unit cell. In BiFeO3, the flux-closure approach stabilizes a 251° domain wall. Its unusual chirality is probably associated with the ferroelectric analogue to the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction. We, thus, see that in an adaptively engineered geometry, the depolarizing-field-screening properties of an insulator can even surpass those of a metal and be a source of functionality. This could be a useful insight on the road towards the next generation of oxide electronics.

Temporal and spatial tracking of ultrafast light-induced strain and polarization modulation in a ferroelectric thin film

Ultrashort light pulses induce rapid deformations of crystalline lattices. In ferroelectrics, lattice deformations couple directly to the polarization, which opens the perspective to modulate the electric polarization on an ultrafast time scale. Here, we report on the temporal and spatial tracking of strain and polar modulation in a single-domain BiFeO3 thin film by ultrashort light pulses. To map the light-induced deformation of the BiFeO3 unit cell, we perform time-resolved optical reflectivity and time-resolved x-ray diffraction. We show that an optical femtosecond laser pulse generates not only longitudinal but also shear strains. The longitudinal strain peaks at a large amplitude of 0.6%. The access of both the longitudinal and shear strains enables to quantitatively reconstruct the ultrafast deformation of the unit cell and to infer the corresponding reorientation of the ferroelectric polarization direction in space and time. Our findings open new perspectives for ultrafast manipulation of strain-coupled ferroic orders.

Onset of Multiferroicity in Prototypical Single-Spin Cycloid BiFeO3 Thin Films

In the room-temperature magnetoelectric multiferroic BiFeO3, the noncollinear antiferromagnetic state is coupled to the ferroelectric order, opening applications for low-power electric-field-controlled magnetic devices. While several strategies have been explored to simplify the ferroelectric landscape, here we directly stabilize a single-domain ferroelectric and spin cycloid state in epitaxial BiFeO3 (111) thin films grown on orthorhombic DyScO3 (011). Comparing them with films grown on SrTiO3 (111), we identify anisotropic in-plane strain as a powerful handle for tailoring the single antiferromagnetic state. In this single-domain multiferroic state, we establish the thickness limit of the coexisting electric and magnetic orders and directly visualize the suppression of the spin cycloid induced by the magnetoelectric interaction below the ultrathin limit of 1.4 nm. This as-grown single-domain multiferroic configuration in BiFeO3 thin films opens an avenue both for fundamental investigations and for electrically controlled noncollinear antiferromagnetic spintronics.

Ho-Ion-Polymer/Graphene Heterojunctions Toward Room-Temperature Ferromagnets

Organic ferromagnetic materials offer great promise for spintronic devices, carbon-based chips, and quantum communications, but remain as a challenging issue due to their low saturation magnetization and/or unsustainable ferromagnetic properties. To date, magnetic ion polymers have displayed paramagnetism without exception at room-temperature. In this study, it is reported for the first time that, owing to the structural restriction and charge exchange of Ho ion by polymer/graphene π-π stacking heterojunctions, holmium ion polymer composites exhibited typical hysteresis lines of ferromagnetic materials at room temperature. The room-temperature ferromagnetic ion polymer composite presented the highest saturation magnetization value of 3.36 emu g^-1 and unprecedented sustainable ferromagnetism, compared to reported room-temperature organic ferromagnetic materials. Accordingly, prepared ferromagnetic composites also achieved impressive wave absorption properties, with a maximum reflection loss of as much as -57.32 dB and a broad absorption bandwidth of 5.05 GHz. These findings may promote the development of room-temperature organic ferromagnetic materials.

Imaging ferroelectric domains with a single-spin scanning quantum sensor

The ability to sensitively image electric fields is important for understanding many nanoelectronic phenomena, including charge accumulation at surfaces1 and interfaces2 and field distributions in active electronic devices3. A particularly exciting application is the visualization of domain patterns in ferroelectric and nanoferroic materials4,5, owing to their potential in computing and data storage6-8. Here, we use a scanning nitrogen-vacancy (NV) microscope, well known for its use in magnetometry9, to image domain patterns in piezoelectric (Pb[Zr0.2Ti0.8]O3) and improper ferroelectric (YMnO3) materials through their electric fields. Electric field detection is enabled by measuring the Stark shift of the NV spin10,11 using a gradiometric detection scheme12. Analysis of the electric field maps allows us to discriminate between different types of surface charge distributions, as well as to reconstruct maps of the three-dimensional electric field vector and charge density. The ability to measure both stray electric and magnetic fields9,13 under ambient conditions opens opportunities for the study of multiferroic and multifunctional materials and devices8,14.

Enabling Room-Temperature Triferroic Coupling in Dual Transition-Metal Dichalcogenide Monolayers Via Electronic Asymmetry

Triferroic compounds are the ideal platform for multistate information devices but are rare in the two-dimensional (2D) form, and none of them can maintain macroscopic order at room temperature. Herein, we propose a general strategy for achieving 2D triferroicity by imposing electric polarization into a ferroelastic magnet. Accordingly, dual transition-metal dichalcogenides, for example, 1T'-CrCoS₄, are demonstrated to display room-temperature triferroicity. The magnetic order of 1T'-CrCoS₄ undergoes a magnetic transition during the ferroic switching, indicating robust triferroic magnetoelectric coupling. In addition, the negative out-of-plane piezoelectricity and strain-tunable magnetic anisotropy make the 1T'-CrCoS₄ monolayer a strong candidate for practical applications. Following the proposed scheme, a new class of 2D room-temperature triferroic materials is introduced, providing a promising platform for advanced spintronics.

Structural Chirality of Polar Skyrmions Probed by Resonant Elastic X-Ray Scattering

An escalating challenge in condensed-matter research is the characterization of emergent order-parameter nanostructures such as ferroelectric and ferromagnetic skyrmions. Their small length scales coupled with complex, three-dimensional polarization or spin structures makes them demanding to trace out fully. Resonant elastic x-ray scattering (REXS) has emerged as a technique to study chirality in spin textures such as skyrmions and domain walls. It has, however, been used to a considerably lesser extent to study analogous features in ferroelectrics. Here, we present a framework for modeling REXS from an arbitrary arrangement of charge quadrupole moments, which can be applied to nanostructures in materials such as ferroelectrics. With this, we demonstrate how extended reciprocal space scans using REXS with circularly polarized x rays can probe the three-dimensional structure and chirality of polar skyrmions. Measurements, bolstered by quantitative scattering calculations, show that polar skyrmions of mixed chirality coexist, and that REXS allows valuation of relative fractions of right- and left-handed skyrmions. Our quantitative analysis of the structure and chirality of polar skyrmions highlights the capability of REXS for establishing complex topological structures toward future application exploits.

Two-dimensional multiferroic material of metallic p-doped SnSe

Two-dimensional multiferroic materials have garnered broad interests attributed to their magnetoelectric properties and multifunctional applications. Multiferroic heterostructures have been realized, nevertheless, the direct coupling between ferroelectric and ferromagnetic order in a single material still remains challenging, especially for two-dimensional materials. Here, we develop a physical vapor deposition approach to synthesize two-dimensional p-doped SnSe. The local phase segregation of SnSe₂ microdomains and accompanying interfacial charge transfer results in the emergence of degenerate semiconductor and metallic feature in SnSe. Intriguingly, the room-temperature ferrimagnetism has been demonstrated in two-dimensional p-doped SnSe with the Curie temperature approaching to ~337 K. Meanwhile, the ferroelectricity is maintained even under the depolarizing field introduced by SnSe₂. The coexistence of ferrimagnetism and ferroelectricity in two-dimensional p-doped SnSe verifies its multiferroic feature. This work presents a significant advance for exploring the magnetoelectric coupling in two-dimensional limit and constructing high-performance logic devices to extend Moore’s law.

2D multiferroic materials have garnered broad interests due to their magnetoelectric properties and multifunctional applications. Here, the authors discover a multiferroic feature in physical vapor deposition synthesized 2D metallic p-doped SnSe.

Imaging Topological Defects in a Noncollinear Antiferromagnet

We report on the formation of topological defects emerging from the cycloidal antiferromagnetic order at the surface of bulk BiFeO_{3} crystals. Combining reciprocal and real-space magnetic imaging techniques, we first observe, in a single ferroelectric domain, the coexistence of antiferromagnetic domains in which the antiferromagnetic cycloid propagates along different wave vectors. We then show that the direction of these wave vectors is not strictly locked to the preferred crystallographic axes as continuous rotations bridge different wave vectors. At the junctions between the magnetic domains, we observe topological line defects identical to those found in a broad variety of lamellar physical systems with rotational symmetries. Our work establishes the presence of these magnetic objects at room temperature in the multiferroic antiferromagnet BiFeO_{3}, offering new possibilities for their use in spintronics.

Chiral structures of electric polarization vectors quantified by X-ray resonant scattering

Resonant elastic X-ray scattering (REXS) offers a unique tool to investigate solid-state systems providing spatial knowledge from diffraction combined with electronic information through the enhanced absorption process, allowing the probing of magnetic, charge, spin, and orbital degrees of spatial order together with electronic structure. A new promising application of REXS is to elucidate the chiral structure of electrical polarization emergent in a ferroelectric oxide superlattice in which the polarization vectors in the REXS amplitude are implicitly described through an anisotropic tensor corresponding to the quadrupole moment. Here, we present a detailed theoretical framework and analysis to quantitatively analyze the experimental results of Ti L-edge REXS of a polar vortex array formed in a PbTiO₃/SrTiO₃ superlattice. Based on this theoretical framework, REXS for polar chiral structures can become a useful tool similar to x-ray resonant magnetic scattering (XRMS), enabling a comprehensive study of both electric and magnetic REXS on the chiral structures.

The polar chiral texture of the vortex or skyrmion structure in ferroelectric oxide PbTiO₃/SrTiO₃ superlattice attracts attention. Here, the authors report a theoretical framework to probe emergent chirality of electrical polarization textures.

Electric field control of chirality

Polar textures have attracted substantial attention in recent years as a promising analog to spin-based textures in ferromagnets. Here, using optical second-harmonic generation–based circular dichroism, we demonstrate deterministic and reversible control of chirality over mesoscale regions in ferroelectric vortices using an applied electric field. The microscopic origins of the chirality, the pathway during the switching, and the mechanism for electric field control are described theoretically via phase-field modeling and second-principles simulations, and experimentally by examination of the microscopic response of the vortices under an applied field. The emergence of chirality from the combination of nonchiral materials and subsequent control of the handedness with an electric field has far-reaching implications for new electronics based on chirality as a field-controllable order parameter.

Soft X-ray Lensless Imaging in Reflection Mode

We report on the development and implementation of methodologies dedicated to soft X-ray imaging by coherent scattering in reflection mode. Two complementary approaches are tested, based on Fourier transform holography and on ptychography. A new method for designing holographic masks has been developed. Our results represent a feasibility test and highlight the potential and limitations of imaging in reflection mode. Reflectivity is less efficient than transmission at soft X-ray wavelengths, hampering the acquisition of good quality images. Nonetheless, it has the potential to image a wider set of samples, notably those that are not transparent to soft X-rays. Although the images obtained so far are of modest quality, these results are extremely encouraging for continuing the development of coherent soft X-ray imaging in reflection mode.

Recent Progress on Topological Structures in Ferroic Thin Films and Heterostructures

Topological spin/polarization structures in ferroic materials continue to draw great attention as a result of their fascinating physical behaviors and promising applications in the field of high-density nonvolatile memories as well as future energy-efficient nanoelectronic and spintronic devices. Such developments have been made, in part, based on recent advances in theoretical calculations, the synthesis of high-quality thin films, and the characterization of their emergent phenomena and exotic phases. Herein, progress over the last decade in the study of topological structures in ferroic thin films and heterostructures is explored, including the observation of topological structures and control of their structures and emergent physical phenomena through epitaxial strain, layer thickness, electric, magnetic fields, etc. First, the evolution of topological spin structures (e.g., magnetic skyrmions) and associated functionalities (e.g., topological Hall effect) in magnetic thin films and heterostructures is discussed. Then, the exotic polar topologies (e.g., domain walls, closure domains, polar vortices, bubble domains, and polar skyrmions) and their emergent physical properties in ferroelectric oxide films and heterostructures are explored. Finally, a brief overview and prospectus of how the field may evolve in the coming years is provided.

Anomalous circular bulk photovoltaic effect in BiFeO3 thin films with stripe-domain pattern

Multiferroic bismuth ferrite, BiFeO₃, offers a vast landscape to study the interplay between different ferrroic orders. Another aspect which is equally exciting, and yet underutilized, is the possibility of large-scale ordering of domains. Along with symmetry-driven bulk photovoltaic effect, BiFeO₃ presents opportunities to conceptualize novel light-based devices. In this work, we investigate the evolution of the bulk photovoltaic effect in BiFeO₃ thin films with stripe-domain pattern as the polarization of light is modulated from linear to elliptical to circular. The open-circuit voltages under circularly polarized light exceed ± 25 V. The anomalous character of the effect arises from the contradiction with the analytical assessment involving tensorial analysis. The assessment highlights the need for a domain-specific interaction of light which is further analyzed with spatially-resolved Raman measurements. Appropriate positioning of electrodes allows observation of a switch-like photovoltaic effect, i.e., ON and OFF state, by changing the helicity of circularly polarized light.

The authors study the evolution of the bulk photovoltaic effect in BiFeO₃ thin films with stripe-domains as the polarization of light is modulated from linear to circular. A relationship between the anomalous photo-response and differential light-domain interaction is established.

The Experimentalist's Guide to the Cycloid, or Noncollinear Antiferromagnetism in Epitaxial BiFeO3

Bismuth ferrite (BiFeO₃ ) is one of the most widely studied multiferroics. The coexistence of ferroelectricity and antiferromagnetism in this compound has driven an intense search for electric-field control of the magnetic order. Such efforts require a complete understanding of the various exchange interactions that underpin the magnetic behavior. An important characteristic of BiFeO₃ is its noncollinear magnetic order; namely, a long-period incommensurate spin cycloid. Here, the progress in understanding this fascinating aspect of BiFeO₃ is reviewed, with a focus on epitaxial films. The advances made in developing the theory used to capture the complexities of the cycloid are first chronicled, followed by a description of the various experimental techniques employed to probe the magnetic order. To help the reader fully grasp the nuances associated with thin films, a detailed description of the spin cycloid in the bulk is provided. The effects of various perturbations on the cycloid are then described: magnetic and electric fields, doping, epitaxial strain, finite size effects, and temperature. To conclude, an outlook on possible device applications exploiting noncollinear magnetism in BiFeO₃ films is presented. It is hoped that this work will act as a comprehensive experimentalist's guide to the spin cycloid in BiFeO₃ thin films.

Emergent helical texture of electric dipoles

Long-range ordering of magnetic dipoles in bulk materials gives rise to a broad range of magnetic structures, from simple collinear ferromagnets and antiferromagnets, to complex magnetic helicoidal textures stabilized by competing exchange interactions. In contrast, dipolar order in dielectric crystals is typically limited to parallel (ferroelectric) and antiparallel (antiferroelectric) collinear alignments of electric dipoles. Here, we report an observation of incommensurate helical ordering of electric dipoles by light hole doping of the quadruple perovskite BiMn7O12. In analogy with magnetism, the electric dipole helicoidal texture is stabilized by competing instabilities. Specifically, orbital ordering and lone electron pair stereochemical activity compete, giving rise to phase transitions from a nonchiral cubic structure to an incommensurate electric dipole and orbital helix via an intermediate density wave.

Antiferromagnetic textures in BiFeO3 controlled by strain and electric field

Antiferromagnetic thin films are currently generating considerable excitement for low dissipation magnonics and spintronics. However, while tuneable antiferromagnetic textures form the backbone of functional devices, they are virtually unknown at the submicron scale. Here we image a wide variety of antiferromagnetic spin textures in multiferroic BiFeO₃ thin films that can be tuned by strain and manipulated by electric fields through room-temperature magnetoelectric coupling. Using piezoresponse force microscopy and scanning NV magnetometry in self-organized ferroelectric patterns of BiFeO₃, we reveal how strain stabilizes different types of non-collinear antiferromagnetic states (bulk-like and exotic spin cycloids) as well as collinear antiferromagnetic textures. Beyond these local-scale observations, resonant elastic X-ray scattering confirms the existence of both types of spin cycloids. Finally, we show that electric-field control of the ferroelectric landscape induces transitions either between collinear and non-collinear states or between different cycloids, offering perspectives for the design of reconfigurable antiferromagnetic spin textures on demand.

Tailoring antiferromagnetic domains is critical for the development of low-dissipative spintronic and magnonic devices. Here the authors demonstrate the control of antiferromagnetic spin textures in multiferroic bismuth ferrite thin films using strain and electric fields.

Coupling Lattice Instabilities Across the Interface in Ultrathin Oxide Heterostructures

Oxide heterointerfaces constitute a rich platform for realizing novel functionalities in condensed matter. A key aspect is the strong link between structural and electronic properties, which can be modified by interfacing materials with distinct lattice symmetries. Here, we determine the effect of the cubic-tetragonal distortion of SrTiO3 on the electronic properties of thin films of SrIrO3, a topological crystalline metal hosting a delicate interplay between spin-orbit coupling and electronic correlations. We demonstrate that below the transition temperature at 105 K, SrIrO3 orthorhombic domains couple directly to tetragonal domains in SrTiO3. This forces the in-phase rotational axis to lie in-plane and creates a binary domain structure in the SrIrO3 film. The close proximity to the metal-insulator transition in ultrathin SrIrO3 causes the individual domains to have strongly anisotropic transport properties, driven by a reduction of bandwidth along the in-phase axis. The strong structure-property relationships in perovskites make these compounds particularly suitable for static and dynamic coupling at interfaces, providing a promising route towards realizing novel functionalities in oxide heterostructures.