Controlled motion of polar vortex boundary in oxide heterostructures.

Real-time imaging shows reversible, field-polarity- and AFM-trajectory-dependent motion of polar vortex boundaries in PbTiO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures, enabling stable reconfiguration.

• Why it matters: Controlled motion is elusive because strong pinning and lattice-coupled dynamics hinder steering polar vortices for nanoelectronics.
• What they did: Localized trailing electric fields were applied with a conductive AFM tip while tracking boundary motion, then in-situ scanning transmission electron microscopy confirmed it; phase-field simulations linked it to zigzag-pattern switching at the vortex core.
• The result: Steering the tip along specific paths produces controlled, reconfigurable vortex boundary motion with remarkable stability over extended periods, supporting externally controlled polar-vortex dynamics for device prospects.

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