Subterahertz collective dynamics of polar vortices

Qian Li, Vladimir A. Stoica, Marek Paściak, Yi Zhu, Yakun Yuan, Tiannan Yang, Margaret R. McCarter, Sujit Das, Ajay K. Yadav, Suji Park, Cheng Dai, Hyeon Jun Lee, Youngjun Ahn, Samuel D. Marks, Shukai Yu, Christelle Kadlec, Takahiro Sato, Matthias C. Hoffmann, Matthieu Chollet, Michael E. Kozina, Silke Nelson, Diling Zhu, Donald A. Walko, Aaron M. Lindenberg, Paul G. Evans, Long-Qing Chen, Ramamoorthy Ramesh, Lane W. Martin, Venkatraman Gopalan, John W. Freeland, Jirka Hlinka and Haidan Wen ()
Additional contact information
Qian Li: Argonne National Laboratory
Vladimir A. Stoica: Argonne National Laboratory
Marek Paściak: Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Yi Zhu: Argonne National Laboratory
Yakun Yuan: The Pennsylvania State University
Tiannan Yang: The Pennsylvania State University
Margaret R. McCarter: University of California, Berkeley
Sujit Das: University of California, Berkeley
Ajay K. Yadav: University of California, Berkeley
Suji Park: SIMES, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Cheng Dai: The Pennsylvania State University
Hyeon Jun Lee: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Youngjun Ahn: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Samuel D. Marks: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Shukai Yu: The Pennsylvania State University
Christelle Kadlec: Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Takahiro Sato: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Matthias C. Hoffmann: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Matthieu Chollet: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Michael E. Kozina: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Silke Nelson: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Diling Zhu: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Donald A. Walko: Argonne National Laboratory
Aaron M. Lindenberg: SIMES, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
Paul G. Evans: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Long-Qing Chen: The Pennsylvania State University
Ramamoorthy Ramesh: University of California, Berkeley
Lane W. Martin: University of California, Berkeley
Venkatraman Gopalan: The Pennsylvania State University
John W. Freeland: Argonne National Laboratory
Jirka Hlinka: Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Haidan Wen: Argonne National Laboratory

Nature, 2021, vol. 592, issue 7854, 376-380

Abstract: Abstract The collective dynamics of topological structures1–6 are of interest from both fundamental and applied perspectives. For example, studies of dynamical properties of magnetic vortices and skyrmions3,4 have not only deepened our understanding of many-body physics but also offered potential applications in data processing and storage7. Topological structures constructed from electrical polarization, rather than electron spin, have recently been realized in ferroelectric superlattices5,6, and these are promising for ultrafast electric-field control of topological orders. However, little is known about the dynamics underlying the functionality of such complex extended nanostructures. Here, using terahertz-field excitation and femtosecond X-ray diffraction measurements, we observe ultrafast collective polarization dynamics that are unique to polar vortices, with orders-of-magnitude higher frequencies and smaller lateral size than those of experimentally realized magnetic vortices3. A previously unseen tunable mode, hereafter referred to as a vortexon, emerges in the form of transient arrays of nanoscale circular patterns of atomic displacements, which reverse their vorticity on picosecond timescales. Its frequency is considerably reduced (softened) at a critical strain, indicating a condensation (freezing) of structural dynamics. We use first-principles-based atomistic calculations and phase-field modelling to reveal the microscopic atomic arrangements and corroborate the frequencies of the vortex modes. The discovery of subterahertz collective dynamics in polar vortices opens opportunities for electric-field-driven data processing in topological structures with ultrahigh speed and density.

Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03342-4

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