Quantum phase transition in ferroelectric-paraelectric heterostructures

Phase transition between ferroelectricity and quantum paraelectricity via non-thermal tuning parameters can lead to quantum critical behavior and associated emergent phenomena. Ferroelectric quantum critical systems are, however, rare despite the abundance of ferroelectric materials. Here, we show theoretically that in ferroelectric-paraelectric heterostructures, it is plausible to induce quantum paraelectricity where the quantum temperature (i.e., the temperature below with the onset of ferroelectricity is suppressed by quantum fluctuations) can be tuned by the thickness ratio. This, in turn, can effect a quantum phase transition between effective ferroelectric and quantum paraelectric states, using the thickness ratio as the tuning parameter. The associated quantum critical region offers unexpected prospects in the field of ferroelectric quantum criticality.

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