Toroidal polar topology in strained ferroelectric polymer

Polar topological texture has become an emerging research field for exotic phenomena and potential applications in reconfigurable electronic devices. We report toroidal topological texture self-organized in a ferroelectric polymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride-ran-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)], that exhibits concentric topology with anticoupled chiral domains. The interplay among the elastic, electric, and gradient energies results in continuous rotation and toroidal assembly of the polarization perpendicular to polymer chains, whereas relaxor behavior is induced along polymer chains. Such toroidal polar topology gives rise to periodic absorption of polarized far-infrared (FIR) waves, enabling the manipulation of the terahertz wave on a mesoscopic scale. Our observations should inform design principles for flexible ferroic materials toward complex topologies and provide opportunities for multistimuli conversions in flexible electronics.

Automated summary

The study discovered concentric topological structure and anticoupled chiral domains in ferroelectric polymer, which can absorb polarized far-infrared waves and manipulate terahertz waves. The findings provide new insights for design principles of flexible ferroic materials and multi-stimuli conversions in flexible electronics.