Self-strain-induced fragmentation of Z8 vortex domains in (Nd,Tb,Sr)3Fe2O7

ORAL

Abstract

(Nd,Tb,Sr)3Fe2O7 crystals, n=2 Ruddlesden-Popper ferrite, exhibit dense networks of topological defects (eight-state vortex-antivortex pairs), associated with four oxygen octahedral tilts at domains and another four different oxygen octahedral tilts at domain walls. Here, utilizing dark-field transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we show experimentally that the formation of eight-state vortex domains follows a universal behavior captured within the Kibble-Zurek scaling mechanism. In addition, a self-strain-induced fragmentation of such vortex domains occurs when long-range ferroelastic couplings become dominant. We develop a complete picture of the topological defect evolution through 1st-order and 2nd-order phase transitions, affecting significantly the condensation of topological defect types. How the resulting microscopic domain structures influence macroscopically phenomena will also be discussed.

–

Presenters

  • Fei-Ting Huang

    Rutgers University, Rutgers Center for Emergent Materials and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University

Authors

  • Fei-Ting Huang

    Rutgers University, Rutgers Center for Emergent Materials and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University

  • Yanbin Li

    Rutgers Center for Emergent Materials and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University

  • Lunyong Zhang

    Max Planck POSTETH, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Korea Research Initiative, Laboratory for Pohang Emergent Materials and Max Plank POSTECH Center for Complex Phase Materials, Pohang University of Science and Technology

  • Jae Wook Kim

    Rutgers Center for Emergent Materials and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University

  • Yazhong Wang

    Rutgers Center for Emergent Materials and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University

  • Kai Du

    Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University, Rutgers Center for Emergent Materials and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University

  • Sang-Wook Cheong

    Rutgers University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Physics, Rutgers University, Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University, Rutgers Center for Emergent Materials and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University, Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers Univ., Rutgers Univ, Physics, Rutgers Univesity, Department of Physics, Rutgers University, Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers Center for Emergent Materials, Department of Physics & Astronomy , Rutgers University