Atomic-Scale Evolution of Local Electronic Structure Across Multiferroic Domain Walls

Abstract

Direct evidence of the electronic configurations across domain walls in BiFeO(3) is quantitatively characterized by cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy. Atomic-scale band evolution and the asymmetrically built-in potential barrier at domain boundaries are demonstrated. The 109 degrees domain walls register a remarkable decrease in the bandgap, suggesting a new route to control the local conducting channels within 2 nm.