Abstract
Applying stress to a ferroelastic material results in a nonlinear strain
response as domains of different orientations mechanically switch. The
ability to write, erase and move domain walls between such ferroelastic
domains suggests a method for making nanoelectronics where the domain
wall is the device. However, little is known about the magnetic
properties of such domain walls. A fascinating model system is SrTiO3,
where the ferroelastic domain walls display strain-tunable polarity and
enhanced conductivity. Here, we reveal a long-range magnetic order with
modulations along the ferroelastic domain walls in SrTiO3 and SrTiO3-based
heterointerfaces, which manifests itself as a striped pattern in
scanning superconducting quantum interference device maps of the
magnetic landscape. In conducting interfaces, the magnetism is coupled
to itinerant electrons with clear signatures in magnetotransport
measurements. The magnetic state is also coupled dynamically to the
lattice and can be reversibly tuned by applying local external forces.
This study raises the possibility of designing nanoscale devices based
on domain walls where strain-tunable ferroelectric, ferroelastic and
ferromagnetic orders may coexist.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Nature Physics |
Volume | 15 |
Pages (from-to) | 269-274 |
ISSN | 1745-2473 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2019 |