A 2D ferroelectric vortex pattern in twisted BaTiO3 freestanding layers

The wealth of complex polar topologies1-10 recently found in nanoscale ferroelectrics results from a delicate balance between the intrinsic tendency of the materials to develop a homogeneous polarization and the electric and mechanical boundary conditions imposed on them. Ferroelectric-dielectric interfaces are model systems in which polarization curling originates from open circuit-like electric boundary conditions, to avoid the build-up of polarization charges through the formation of flux-closure11-14 domains that evolve into vortex-like structures at the nanoscale15-17 level. Although ferroelectricity is known to couple strongly with strain (both homogeneous18 and inhomogeneous19,20), the effect of mechanical constraints21 on thin-film nanoscale ferroelectrics has been comparatively less explored because of the relative paucity of strain patterns that can be implemented experimentally. Here we show that the stacking of freestanding ferroelectric perovskite layers with controlled twist angles provides an opportunity to tailor these topological nanostructures in a way determined by the lateral strain modulation associated with the twisting. Furthermore, we find that a peculiar pattern of polarization vortices and antivortices emerges from the flexoelectric coupling of polarization to strain gradients. This finding provides opportunities to create two-dimensional high-density vortex crystals that would enable us to explore previously unknown physical effects and functionalities.

Extremely long-range, high-temperature Josephson coupling across a half-metallic ferromagnet

The Josephson effect results from the coupling of two superconductors across a spacer such as an insulator, a normal metal or a ferromagnet to yield a phase coherent quantum state. However, in junctions with ferromagnetic spacers, very long-range Josephson effects have remained elusive. Here we demonstrate extremely long-range (micrometric) high-temperature (tens of kelvins) Josephson coupling across the half-metallic manganite La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ combined with the superconducting cuprate YBa₂Cu₃O₇. These planar junctions, in addition to large critical currents, display the hallmarks of Josephson physics, such as critical current oscillations driven by magnetic flux quantization and quantum phase locking effects under microwave excitation (Shapiro steps). The latter display an anomalous doubling of the Josephson frequency predicted by several theories. In addition to its fundamental interest, the marriage between high-temperature, dissipationless quantum coherent transport and full spin polarization brings opportunities for the practical realization of superconducting spintronics, and opens new perspectives for quantum computing.

Reversible electric-field control of magnetization at oxide interfaces

Electric-field control of magnetism has remained a major challenge which would greatly impact data storage technology. Although progress in this direction has been recently achieved, reversible magnetization switching by an electric field requires the assistance of a bias magnetic field. Here we take advantage of the novel electronic phenomena emerging at interfaces between correlated oxides and demonstrate reversible, voltage-driven magnetization switching without magnetic field. Sandwiching a non-superconducting cuprate between two manganese oxide layers, we find a novel form of magnetoelectric coupling arising from the orbital reconstruction at the interface between interfacial Mn spins and localized states in the CuO2 planes. This results in a ferromagnetic coupling between the manganite layers that can be controlled by a voltage. Consequently, magnetic tunnel junctions can be electrically toggled between two magnetization states, and the corresponding spin-dependent resistance states, in the absence of a magnetic field.

Emergent spin filter at the interface between ferromagnetic and insulating layered oxides

We report a strong effect of interface-induced magnetization on the transport properties of magnetic tunnel junctions consisting of ferromagnetic manganite La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 and insulating cuprate PrBa2Cu3O7. Contrary to the typically observed steady increase of the tunnel magnetoresistance with decreasing temperature, this system exhibits a sudden anomalous decrease at low temperatures. Interestingly, this anomalous behavior can be attributed to the competition between the positive spin polarization of the manganite contacts and the negative spin-filter effect from the interface-induced Cu magnetization.