Engineering ferroelectric topologies in freestanding membranes

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This DECRA proposal is focused on the exploiting controlled motion, annihilation and creation of real space topological defects (polar skyrmions, vortices and merons) in free-standing ferroelectric superlattices. Topological states in ferroic materials arise from spin/dipolar textures (the spins/dipoles can be considered as quasiparticles) which condense to form topological defects. The imposition of precisely controlled elastic boundary conditions through an applied bending stress, temperature profiles and electric fields to the membranes enables tailored functional responses without any interference from substrate clamping effect. This yields multifunctional materials with enhanced operational speed, sensitivity and energy-efficiencies.