Complex center-type topological domain in ferroelectric nanoislands of rhombohedral Pb(Zr0.7,Ti0.3)O3

Abstract

In recent years, there is a surge of research interest in exotic ferroelectric topological states, motivated by their rich emerging physical properties and potential applications in nanoelectronic devices. Here, we demonstrate the observation of a sort of complex center-type topological domain structures, which exhibit a quadrant center-type (with polarization pointing to the center) topological texture for an in-plane polarization component and a cylinder domain pattern along the vertical direction, in rhombohedral structured Pb(Zr0.7Ti0.3)O3 (R-PZT) nanoislands. Such a center domain state exhibits a rather high stability, which can well maintain its topological texture after heating to above curie temperature and subsequently cooling down to room temperature. Moreover, it allows erasure by a scanning electric field, yet it can also be recovered by a similar heating and cooling process. The observation of these unique topological textures in R-PZT nanoislands might provide a good playground for further exploring their topological phase transition properties, emerging novel functionalities, and application potential.