A new ferroelectric system, only two-atoms-thick is presented [1]. Stacking two layers of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) atop each other, with a parallel crystal orientation, results in a permanent electric polarization pointing out of the plane. Furthermore, applying an opposite external electric field switches the vertical polarization by a horizontal sliding between the layers of a full atomic spacing distance. I will describe the atomic force experiment, DFT calculations, and a simplistic cohesion model, allowing us to explore the interfacial-ferroelectricity and its unique Slide-Tronics switching mechanism.
If time allows, I will further discuss our efforts to induce intrinsic electric and magnetic gauge fields in graphene by particular strain-engineering schemes [2].
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