Brownian Electric Bubble Quasiparticles

In this talk I will describe our theoretical predictions on the possibility to stabilize a new kind of quasiparticle in ferroelectric nanostructures, by suitably controling the elastic and electric boundary conditions. These novel particles are electric bubbles (e-bubbles) that present a non-trivial topology at low temperatures (skyrmion-like) and become spontaneously mobile upon moderate heating (Brownian diffusion). I will present the typical time scales for the e-bubble dynamics and discuss the basic inter-bubble interactions -- as predicted form our atomistic (second-principles) simulations. I will also show how the e-bubbles' diffusion speed and lifetime can be tuned by controlling the temperature and the defining features of the ferroelectric nanomaterials (thickness, epitaxial strain they are subject to). I will conclude by giving an outlook of the field; in particular, I will comment on the possible use of these objects in Unconventional Computing applications.

Work done in collaboration with Hugo Aramberri and Natalya Fedorova (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technolgoy). Work funded by the
Luxembourg National Research Fund through Grant C21/MS/15799044/FERRODYNAMICS.