New electronic phenomenon discovered

Date:
August 11, 2021
Source:
University of North Florida
Summary:
Physics researchers at the University of North Florida's Atomic LEGO
Lab discovered a new electronic phenomenon they call 'asymmetric
ferroelectricity'. The research demonstrated this phenomenon for
the first time in engineered two-dimensional crystals.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Physics researchers at the University of North Florida's Atomic LEGO
Lab discovered a new electronic phenomenon they call "asymmetric ferroelectricity." The research led by Dr. Maitri Warusawithana, UNF
physics assistant professor, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Illinois and the Arizona State University, demonstrated
this phenomenon for the first time in engineered two-dimensional crystals.


==========================================================================
This discovery of asymmetric ferroelectricity in engineered crystals
comes exactly 100 years following the discovery of ferroelectricity in
certain naturally occurring crystals. Ferroelectric crystals -- crystals
that show two equal bistable polarization states -- are now used in
many high-tech applications including solid-state memory, RFID cards,
sensors and precision actuators.

Utilizing atomic-scale materials design, the team of researchers has demonstrated a qualitatively new phenomenon, asymmetric ferroelectricity,
for the first time. These engineered crystals lead to an asymmetric bi-stability with two unequal stable polarization states in contrast to
a natural ferroelectric.

Warusawithana hopes this first observation of asymmetric ferroelectricity achieved through materials-by-design will further research on tailored electronic properties and may find its way into interesting technological applications.

The new discovery is featured in the physics journal, Physical Review B.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_North_Florida. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Maitri P. Warusawithana, Caitlin S. Kengle, Xun Zhan, Hao Chen,
Eugene V.

Colla, Michael O'Keeffe, Jian-Min Zuo, Michael B. Weissman, James N.

Eckstein. Asymmetric ferroelectricity by design in atomic-layer
superlattices with broken inversion symmetry. Physical Review B,
2021; 104 (8) DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.104.085103 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210811131503.htm

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