Browsing by Author "Chen, Long-Qing"

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Anisotropic superconductivity induced by periodic multiferroic domain patterns
(2019-12-06)
Huang, Yen-Lin
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Huang, Bo-Chao
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Wang, Yan-Ting
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Xue, Fei
;
Lin, Jheng-Cyuan
The competition between order parameters, such as ferroelectricity, ferromagnetism, and superconductivity, is one of the most fascinating topics in condensed matter physics. Here, we report intriguing anisotropic superconductivity in YBa2Cu3O7-x films induced by a multiferroic, BiFeO3, with periodic domain patterns. The anisotropic superconductivity was investigated by transport measurements and supported by phase-field simulations, and then the detailed local electronic structures were revealed by cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy. We found that the oxygen redistribution in YBa2Cu3O7-x modulated by the ferroelectric polarization in BiFeO3 was the key mechanism driving this anisotropic superconductivity. The presented heteroarchitecture of a high-temperature superconductor and a domain-engineered multiferroic provides a new approach to tune superconductivity and offers potential advantages for the design of future multifunctional devices.
Anomalous Electronic Anisotropy Triggered by Ferroelastic Coupling in Multiferroic Heterostructures
(2016-02-03)
Ju, Changcheng
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Yang, Jan-Chi
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Luo, Cheng
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Shafer, Padraic
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Liu, Heng-Jui
Atomic-scale mechanism of internal structural relaxation screening at polar interfaces
(2018-05-25)
Li, Mingqiang
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Cheng, Xiaoxing
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Li, Ning
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Liu, Heng-Jui
;
Huang, Yen-Lin
The effective screening of the polarization bound charge is a prerequisite to stabilize the ferroelectricity in ferroelectric thin films. Here, by combining annular bright field imaging and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) in an aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope with phase-field simulations, we investigate the screening mechanism by quantitatively measuring the structural relaxation at Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O-3/SrTiO3 interfaces. We find that the thickness of the interfacial layer is similar to 3.5 unit cells (similar to 1.4 nm) in a domain with upward polarization and similar to 5.5 unit cells (similar to 2.2 nm) in a domain with downward polarization. Phase-field simulations, an EELS analysis, and a lattice parameter analysis verify the existence of interfacial oxygen vacancies accounting for the narrower interfacial layer in the domain with upward polarization. Our study indicates the internal structural relaxation at the interface is the dominant mechanism for the polarization charge screening for ferroelectric films grown on insulating substrates and has implications for our understanding of domain switching in ferroelectric devices.
Direct observation of weakened interface clamping effect enabled ferroelastic domain switching
(2019-06-01)
Li, Mingqiang
;
Wang, Bo
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Liu, Heng-Jui
;
Huang, Yen-Lin
;
Zhang, Jingmin
Reversible switching of non-180 degrees ferroelastic domains that largely alters the local strain distribution enables many electromechanical, electromagnetic and electroacoustic applications. However, in thin films, the ferroelastic domain walls are usually believed to be immobile because of the interface clamping and/or dislocation pinning. Here, using in situ and aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy, we directly observe reversible switching of individual 90 degrees domains in dislocation-free PbTiO3 thin films and uncover the weakened interface clamping effect. We find the tetragonality is suppressed to similar to 1.017 while the polarization vectors rotate 45 degrees in the a-domain near the interface. These huge structural distortions at the interface is mainly responsible for the weakened clamping effect and thus the ability to switch ferroelastic domains. The switching is fully reversible (i.e., either electric field or mechanical stress can re-establish the erased domain) regardless of polarization orientation of the c-domain matrix. Phase-field modeling also shows excellent agreement with experimental observations. Our study reveals the mechanism of controllable and reversible ferroelastic domain switching, enabling the design of new actuators, sensors, and electromagnetic devices. (C) 2019 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Dynamic Conductivity of Ferroelectric Domain Walls in BiFeO(3)
(2011-05-01)
Maksymovych, Peter
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Seidel, Jan
;
Chu, Ying Hao
;
Wu, Pingping
;
Baddorf, Arthur P.
Topological walls separating domains of continuous polarization, magnetization, and strain in ferroic materials hold promise of novel electronic properties, that are intrinsically localized on the nanoscale and that can be patterned on demand without change of material volume or elemental composition. We have revealed that ferroelectric domain walls in multiferroic BiFeO(3) are inherently dynamic electronic conductors, closely mimicking memristive behavior and contrary to the usual assumption of rigid conductivity. Applied electric field can cause a localized transition between insulating and conducting domain walls, tune domain wall conductance by over an order of magnitude, and create a quasicontinuous spectrum of metastable conductance states. Our measurements identified that subtle and microscopically reversible distortion of the polarization structure at the domain wall is at the origin of the dynamic conductivity. The latter is therefore likely to be a universal property of topological defects in ferroelectric semiconductors.
Dynamic Conductivity of Ferroelectric Domain Walls in BiFeO3
(2011-05-01)
Maksymovych, Peter
;
Seidel, Jan
;
Chu, Ying Hao
;
Wu, Pingping
;
Baddorf, Arthur P.
Topological walls separating domains of continuous polarization, magnetization, and strain in ferroic materials hold promise of novel electronic properties, that are intrinsically localized on the nanoscale and that can be patterned on demand without change of material volume or elemental composition. We have revealed that ferroelectric domain walls in multiferroic BiFeO3 are inherently dynamic electronic conductors, closely mimicking memristive behavior and contrary to the usual assumption of rigid conductivity. Applied electric field can cause a localized transition between insulating and conducting domain walls, tune domain wall conductance by over an order of magnitude, and create a quasicontinuous spectrum of metastable conductance states. Our measurements identified that subtle and microscopically reversible distortion of the polarization structure at the domain wall is at the origin of the dynamic conductivity. The latter is therefore likely to be a universal property of topological defects in ferroelectric semiconductors.
Electric Field Writing of Ferroelectric Nano-Domains Near 71 degrees Domain Walls with Switchable Interfacial Conductivity
(2018-08-01)
Yang, Shuzhen
;
Peng, Ren-Ci
;
He, Qing
;
Huang, Yen-Lin
;
Huang, Yijing
Conducting ferroelectric domain walls attract a wide range of research interest due to their promising applications in nanoelectronics. In this study, we reveal an unexpected enhanced conductivity near the well-aligned 71 degrees nonpolar domain walls in BiFeO3. Such an interfacial conductivity is induced by the creation of up-polarized nano-domains near the 71 degrees domain walls, as revealed by the combination of the piezo-response force microscopy (PFM) and conducting atomic force microscopy (c-AFM) imaging techniques, as well as phase-field simulations. The upward polarized domains are suggested to lower the Schottky barrier at the interface between the tip and sample surface, and then give rise to the enhanced interfacial conductivity. The result provides a new strategy to tune the local conductance in ferroelectric materials and opens up new opportunities to design novel nanoelectronic devices.
Electrical polarization induced by atomically engineered compositional gradient in complex oxide solid solution
(2019-04-12)
Wu, Ping-Chun
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Huang, Rong
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Hsieh, Ying-Hui
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Wang, Bo
;
Yen, Min
Control of inhomogeneity in materials in order to avoid unexpected effects to the system remains a challenge. In this study, we seek to engineer inhomogeneity in materials and anticipate new properties. Through precise control of composition at the atomic scale, an electrical polarization is induced in the composition-graded LaAIO(3)-SrTiO3 solid solution epitaxially deposited on NdGaO3 substrates. By tailoring the direction of compositional gradient, the relationship between structure and electrical polarization is simulated via phase-field modeling and revealed by a combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy and scanning probe microscopy. The analysis of the results indicates that the induced polarization is due to the flexoelectric effect in the compositional gradient system. The results of this study provide a new pathway for obtaining a new material genome. Moreover, by a suitable design of the new genome, that is, by using different combinations of compositional gradient geometries, local conduction can be obtained and manipulated, providing a new approach to obtain the desired properties.
Ferroelectric Control of the Conduction at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 Heterointerface
(2013-06-25)
Vu Thanh Tra
;
Chen, Jhih-Wei
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Huang, Po-Cheng
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Huang, Bo-Chao
;
Cao, Ye
Field enhancement of electronic conductance at ferroelectric domain walls
(2017-11-06)
Vasudevan, Rama K.
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Cao, Ye
;
Laanait, Nouamane
;
Ievlev, Anton
;
Li, Linglong
Ferroelectric domain walls have continued to attract widespread attention due to both the novelty of the phenomena observed and the ability to reliably pattern them in nanoscale dimensions. However, the conductivity mechanisms remain in debate, particularly around nominally uncharged walls. Here, we posit a conduction mechanism relying on field-modification effect from polarization re-orientation and the structure of the reverse-domain nucleus. Through conductive atomic force microscopy measurements on an ultra-thin (001) BiFeO3 thin film, in combination with phase-field simulations, we show that the field-induced twisted domain nucleus formed at domain walls results in local-field enhancement around the region of the atomic force microscope tip. In conjunction with slight barrier lowering, these two effects are sufficient to explain the observed emission current distribution. These results suggest that different electronic properties at domain walls are not necessary to observe localized enhancement in domain wall currents.
Flexible Multiferroic Bulk Heterojunction with Giant Magnetoelectric Coupling via van der Waals Epitaxy
(2017-06-01)
Amrillah, Tahta
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Bitla, Yugandhar
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Shin, Kwangwoo
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Yang, Tiannan
;
Hsieh, Ying-Hui
Magnetoelectric nanocomposites have been a topic of intense research due to their profound potential in the applications of electronic devices based on spintronic technology. Nevertheless, in spite of significant progress made in the growth of high-quality nanocomposite thin films, the substrate damping effect still remains a major hurdle in realizing the ultimate magneto electric coupling. To overcome this obstacle, an alternative strategy of fabricating a self-assembled ferroelectric-ferrimagnetic bulk heterojunction on a flexible muscovite via van der Waals epitaxy is adopted. hi this study, we investigated the magnetoelectric coupling in a self-assembled BiFeO3 (BFO)-CoFe2O4 (CFO) bulk heterojunction epitaxially grown on a flexible muscovite substrate. The obtained heterojunction is composed of vertically aligned multiferroic BFO nanopillars embedded in a ferrimagnetic CFO matrix. Moreover, due to the weak interaction between the flexible substrate and bulk heterojunction, the interface is incoherent and, hence, the substrate damping effect is greatly reduced. The phase-field simulation model also complements our results. The magnetic and electrical characterizations highlight the improvement in magnetoelectric coupling of the BFO-CFO bulk heterojunction. A magnetoelectric coupling coefficient of 74 mV/cm.Oe of this bulk heterojunction is larger than the magnetoelectric coefficient reported earlier on flexible substrates. Therefore, this study delivers a viable route of fabricating a remarkable magnetoelectric heterojunction and yet flexible electronic devices that are robust against extreme conditions with optimized performance.
Permanent ferroelectric retention of BiFeO3 mesocrystal
(2016-10-26)
Hsieh, Ying-Hui
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Xue, Fei
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Yang, Tiannan
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Liu, Heng-Jui
;
Zhu, Yuanmin
Non-volatile electronic devices based on magnetoelectric multiferroics have triggered new possibilities of outperforming conventional devices for applications. However, ferroelectric reliability issues, such as imprint, retention and fatigue, must be solved before the realization of practical devices. In this study, everlasting ferroelectric retention in the heteroepitaxially constrained multiferroic mesocrystal is reported, suggesting a new approach to overcome the failure of ferroelectric retention. Studied by scanning probe microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and supported via the phase-field simulations, the key to the success of ferroelectric retention is to prevent the crystal from ferroelastic deformation during the relaxation of the spontaneous polarization in a ferroelectric nanocrystal.
Probing Local Ionic Dynamics in Functional Oxides at the Nanoscale
(2013-08-01)
Strelcov, Evgheni
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Kim, Yunseok
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Jesse, Stephen
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Cao, Ye
;
Ivanov, Ilia N.
A scanning probe microscopy technique for probing local ionic dynamics in electrochemically active materials based on the first-order reversal curve current-voltage (FORC-IV) method is presented. FORC-IV imaging mode is applied to a Ca-substituted bismuth ferrite (Ca-BFO) system to separate the electronic and ionic phenomena in this material and visualize the spatial variability of these behaviors. The variable-temperature measurements further demonstrate the interplay between the thermally and electric-field-driven resistance changes in Ca-BFO. The FORC-IV is shown to be a simple, powerful, and flexible method for studying electrochemical activity of materials at the nanoscale and, in conjunction with the electrochemical strain microscopy, it can be used for differentiating ferroelectric and ionic behaviors.
Tuning Phase Stability of Complex Oxide Nanocrystals via Conjugation
(2014-06-01)
Kuo, Ho-Hung
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Chen, Lei
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Ji, Yanzhou
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Liu, Heng-Jui
;
Chen, Long-Qing
Nanocrystals (NCs) attract tremendous research interests because of their unique properties to meet the demands of functionalities. To date, hybrid NCs with multiple components are developed to meet the rising demands that could be very difficult, or even impossible to be achieved by single-component NCs. Tuning properties by strain via conjugation could be an alternative solution. Strain engineering has been discovered and widely applied to many thin-film materials for tuning physical properties. Then, there is a further question to be addressed in this study: can we take the advantages we have learned in heteroepitaxy of thin films and transfer that into the NC conjugation? In order to demonstrate this possibility, we investigated NC conjugation of BiFeO3 and LaAlO3. We found that change in either LaAlO3-NC or BiFeO3-NC size would change the stability of rhombohedral-to-tetragonal phase transition. The present results show that strain engineering is possible to be realized in not only thin film but also NC conjugation. The same concept should be applicable to other complex oxide systems in order to broaden their practical applications for the rising demands of multifunctionalities.
Unexpected Giant Microwave Conductivity in a Nominally Silent BiFeO3 Domain Wall
(1970-01-01)
Huang, Yen-Lin
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Zheng, Lu
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Chen, Peng
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Cheng, Xiaoxing
;
Hsu, Shang-Lin
Nanoelectronic devices based on ferroelectric domain walls (DWs), such as memories, transistors, and rectifiers, have been demonstrated in recent years. Practical high-speed electronics, on the other hand, usually demand operation frequencies in the gigahertz (GHz) regime, where the effect of dipolar oscillation is important. Herein, an unexpected giant GHz conductivity on the order of 10(3) S m(-1) is observed in certain BiFeO3 DWs, which is about 100 000 times greater than the carrier-induced direct current (dc) conductivity of the same walls. Surprisingly, the nominal configuration of the DWs precludes the alternating current (ac) conduction under an excitation electric field perpendicular to the surface. Theoretical analysis shows that the inclined DWs are stressed asymmetrically near the film surface, whereas the vertical walls in a control sample are not. The resultant imbalanced polarization profile can then couple to the out-of-plane microwave fields and induce power dissipation, which is confirmed by the phase-field modeling. Since the contributions from mobile-carrier conduction and bound-charge oscillation to the ac conductivity are equivalent in a microwave circuit, the research on local structural dynamics may open a new avenue to implement DW nano-devices for radio-frequency applications.
Unraveling Deterministic Mesoscopic Polarization Switching Mechanisms: Spatially Resolved Studies of a Tilt Grain Boundary in Bismuth Ferrite
(2009-07-10)
Rodriguez, Brian J.
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Choudhury, Samrat
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Chu, Y. H.
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Bhattacharyya, Abhishek
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Jesse, Stephen
The deterministic mesoscopic mechanism of ferroelectric domain nucleation is probed at a single atomically-defined model defect: an artificially fabricated bicrystal grain boundary (GB) in an epitaxial bismuth ferrite film. Switching spectroscopy piezoresponse force microscopy (SS-PFM) is used to map the variation of local hysteresis loops at the GB and in its immediate vicinity. It is found that the the influence of the GB on nucleation results in a slight shift of the negative nucleation bias to larger voltages. The mesoscopic mechanisms of domain nucleation in the bulk and at the GB are studied in detail using phase-field modeling, elucidating the complex mechanisms governed by the interplay between ferroelectric and ferroelastic wall energies, depolarization fields, and interface charge. The combination of phase-field modeling and SS-PFM allows quantitative analysis of the mesoscopic mechanisms for polarization switching, and hence suggests a route for unraveling the mechanisms of polarization switching at a single defect level and ultimately optimizing materials properties through microstructure engineering.