abstract
The atomic nature of topologically protected ferroelectric (FE) walls in hexagonal ReMnO3 oxides (R: Sc, Y, Er, Ho, Yb, Lu) creates an interesting playground to study effects of defects on domain walls. The 6-fold FE vortices in this multiferroic family lose the ordering by the rule of 6 in the presence of partial edge dislocations (PED) besides it can be modified by chemical doping. Therefore, it is essential to comprehend the cross coupling of FE walls and defects or vacancies in the lattice of multiferroics. Atomic resolution STEM is used to explore the correlative response of electrical polarization of FE domains in the presence of defects in multiferroic ceramics. Such level of resolution also allows the study of switching of FE domains on encounter of lattice defects. The driving force behind appearance of dispersed, small FE domains in images of piezo force microscopy is revealed by observation of lattice defects and FE boundaries simultaneously at the nano-scale. Planar defects and FE domain walls play their role of internal interfaces consequently such interplaying duly modifies the magnetic and FE properties of multiferroic oxides.
keywords
CONDENSATION; DEFECTS
subject category
Materials Science; Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
authors
Baghizadeh, A; Vieira, JM; Stroppa, DG; Willinger, MG; Amaral, VS
our authors
Ali Baghi Zadeh
Post-Doc Fellowship
Joaquim Manuel Vieira
Retired Professor
Vitor Brás Sequeira Amaral
Full professoracknowledgements
A. B. acknowledges the FCT fellowship SFRH/BDP/115625/2016. This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007679 (FCT Ref. UID/CTM/50011/2013), financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when appropriate co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement.