Abstract
AbstractElectric polarization is well defined only in insulators not metals, and there is no general scheme to induce and control bulk polarity in metals. Here we circumvent this limitation by utilizing a pseudo-electric field generated by inhomogeneous lattice strain, namely a flexoelectric field, as a means of polarizing and controlling a metal. Using heteroepitaxy and atomic-scale imaging, we show that flexoelectric fields polarize the bulk of an otherwise centrosymmetric metal SrRuO3, with off-centre displacements of Ru ions. This further impacts the electronic bands and lattice anisotropy of the flexo-polar SrRuO3, potentially leading to an enhancement of electron correlation, ferromagnetism and its anisotropy. Beyond conventional electric fields, flexoelectric fields may be used to create and control electronic states through pure atomic displacements.
Funder
National Research Foundation of Korea
Institute for Basic Science
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
General Physics and Astronomy