Tracking Polarization Structure in PtTe2 at Three-Dimensional Atomic Resolution

  • Spontaneous polarization due to symmetry breaking in the transition metal ditellurides (MTe2) family exhibits intriguing sliding ferroelectricity. Although theoretical predictions of MTe2 ferroelectric metals with noncentrosymmetric stacking have been reported, the realization of such polarization structure remains a challenge. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of PtTe2 with non-centrosymmetric stacking layers, in contrast to bulk AA stacking, achieved within a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) by irradiating amorphous PtxTey thin films with an electron beam probe. Cross-sectional STEM imaging combined with first-principles calculations reveals that the diverse stacking configurations due to an intralayer π-stacking system break centrosymmetry in PtTe2, giving rise to the out-of-plane polarization. Three-dimensional atomic positions identified by the atomic electron tomography method further demonstrate the local distortions associated with the non-centrosymmetric stacking layers in PtTe2. The understanding of the atomic origin of polarization in PtTe2 is of significant importance for developing devices that integrate ferroelectricity with metallicity.
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