Intrinsic ferroelectric switching in two-dimension $α$-In$_2$Se$_3$

Fuente: arXiv
Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bai, Liyi, Ke, Changming, Luo, Zhongshen, Zhu, Tianyuan, You, Lu, Liu, Shi
Format: Preprint
Published: 2023
Subjects:
Online Access:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1866909122030469120
author Bai, Liyi
Ke, Changming
Luo, Zhongshen
Zhu, Tianyuan
You, Lu
Liu, Shi
author_facet Bai, Liyi
Ke, Changming
Luo, Zhongshen
Zhu, Tianyuan
You, Lu
Liu, Shi
contents Two-dimensional (2D) ferroelectric semiconductors present opportunities for integrating ferroelectrics into high-density ultrathin nanoelectronics. Among the few synthesized 2D ferroelectrics, $α$-In$_2$Se$_3$, known for its electrically addressable vertical polarization has attracted significant interest. However, the understanding of many fundamental characteristics of this material, such as the existence of spontaneous in-plane polarization and switching mechanisms, remains controversial, marked by conflicting experimental and theoretical results. Here, our combined experimental characterizations with piezoresponse force microscope and symmetry analysis conclusively dismiss previous claims of in-plane ferroelectricity in $α$-In$_2$Se$_3$. The processes of vertical polarization switching in monolayer $α$-In$_2$Se$_3$ are explored with deep-learning-assisted large-scale molecular dynamics simulations, revealing atomistic mechanisms fundamentally different from those of bulk ferroelectrics. Despite lacking in-plane effective polarization, 1D domain walls can be moved by both out-of-plane and in-plane fields, exhibiting unusual avalanche dynamics characterized by abrupt, intermittent moving patterns. The propagating velocity at various temperatures, field orientations, and strengths can be statistically described with a universal creep equation, featuring a dynamical exponent of 2 that is distinct from all known values for elastic interfaces moving in disordered media. This work rectifies a long-held misunderstanding regarding the in-plane ferroelectricity of $α$-In$_2$Se$_3$, and the quantitative characterizations of domain wall velocity will hold broad implications for both the fundamental understanding and technological applications of 2D ferroelectrics.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2307_09211
institution arXiv
publishDate 2023
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Intrinsic ferroelectric switching in two-dimension $α$-In$_2$Se$_3$
Bai, Liyi
Ke, Changming
Luo, Zhongshen
Zhu, Tianyuan
You, Lu
Liu, Shi
Materials Science
Two-dimensional (2D) ferroelectric semiconductors present opportunities for integrating ferroelectrics into high-density ultrathin nanoelectronics. Among the few synthesized 2D ferroelectrics, $α$-In$_2$Se$_3$, known for its electrically addressable vertical polarization has attracted significant interest. However, the understanding of many fundamental characteristics of this material, such as the existence of spontaneous in-plane polarization and switching mechanisms, remains controversial, marked by conflicting experimental and theoretical results. Here, our combined experimental characterizations with piezoresponse force microscope and symmetry analysis conclusively dismiss previous claims of in-plane ferroelectricity in $α$-In$_2$Se$_3$. The processes of vertical polarization switching in monolayer $α$-In$_2$Se$_3$ are explored with deep-learning-assisted large-scale molecular dynamics simulations, revealing atomistic mechanisms fundamentally different from those of bulk ferroelectrics. Despite lacking in-plane effective polarization, 1D domain walls can be moved by both out-of-plane and in-plane fields, exhibiting unusual avalanche dynamics characterized by abrupt, intermittent moving patterns. The propagating velocity at various temperatures, field orientations, and strengths can be statistically described with a universal creep equation, featuring a dynamical exponent of 2 that is distinct from all known values for elastic interfaces moving in disordered media. This work rectifies a long-held misunderstanding regarding the in-plane ferroelectricity of $α$-In$_2$Se$_3$, and the quantitative characterizations of domain wall velocity will hold broad implications for both the fundamental understanding and technological applications of 2D ferroelectrics.
title Intrinsic ferroelectric switching in two-dimension $α$-In$_2$Se$_3$
topic Materials Science
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.09211