Ferroelectric domain-wall logic units

Ferroelectric domain walls have been extensively explored for nanoelectronics, but the logic devices are still challenging. Here, the authors propose programmable logic gates and circuits based on electric-field controllable conductive domain walls. The electronic conductivities of ferroelectric domain walls have been extensively explored over the past decade for potential nanoelectronic applications. However, the realization of logic devices based on ferroelectric domain walls requires reliable and flexible control of the domain-wall configuration and conduction path. Here, we demonstrate electric-field-controlled stable and repeatable on-and-off switching of conductive domain walls within topologically confined vertex domains naturally formed in self-assembled ferroelectric nano-islands. Using a combination of piezoresponse force microscopy, conductive atomic force microscopy, and phase-field simulations, we show that on-off switching is accomplished through reversible transformations between charged and neutral domain walls via electric-field-controlled domain-wall reconfiguration. By analogy to logic processing, we propose programmable logic gates (such as NOT, OR, AND and their derivatives) and logic circuits (such as fan-out) based on reconfigurable conductive domain walls. Our work might provide a potentially viable platform for programmable all-electric logic based on a ferroelectric domain-wall network with low energy consumption.

Automated summary

The authors propose programmable logic gates and circuits based on electric-field controllable conductive domain walls, demonstrating stable and repeatable on-and-off switching of conductive domain walls through reversible transformations. This research shows potential applications in logic processing.