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Polar meron-antimeron networks in strained and twisted bilayers

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  • Daniel Bennett

    (University of Liège
    University of Cambridge
    Harvard University)

  • Gaurav Chaudhary

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Robert-Jan Slager

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Eric Bousquet

    (University of Liège)

  • Philippe Ghosez

    (University of Liège)

Abstract

Out-of-plane polar domain structures have recently been discovered in strained and twisted bilayers of inversion symmetry broken systems such as hexagonal boron nitride. Here we show that this symmetry breaking also gives rise to an in-plane component of polarization, and the form of the total polarization is determined purely from symmetry considerations. The in-plane component of the polarization makes the polar domains in strained and twisted bilayers topologically non-trivial, forming a network of merons and antimerons (half-skyrmions and half-antiskyrmions). For twisted systems, the merons are of Bloch type whereas for strained systems they are of Néel type. We propose that the polar domains in strained or twisted bilayers may serve as a platform for exploring topological physics in layered materials and discuss how control over topological phases and phase transitions may be achieved in such systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Bennett & Gaurav Chaudhary & Robert-Jan Slager & Eric Bousquet & Philippe Ghosez, 2023. "Polar meron-antimeron networks in strained and twisted bilayers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-7, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-37337-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37337-8
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    1. Dongyang Yang & Jing Liang & Jingda Wu & Yunhuan Xiao & Jerry I. Dadap & Kenji Watanabe & Takashi Taniguchi & Ziliang Ye, 2024. "Non-volatile electrical polarization switching via domain wall release in 3R-MoS2 bilayer," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Xiao-Wei Zhang & Chong Wang & Xiaoyu Liu & Yueyao Fan & Ting Cao & Di Xiao, 2024. "Polarization-driven band topology evolution in twisted MoTe2 and WSe2," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.

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