Title:Can Atmosphere Control Ferroelectricity? Insights from Hafnia Thin Films
Ferroelectric hafnia has transformed the landscape of emerging memory technologies, yet the mechanisms governing its behaviour remain subjects of active debate. Here, we show that the surrounding atmosphere plays a decisive role in determining ferroelectricity in hafnia thin films using piezoresponse force microscopy. Our findings reveal an unexpected interplay between surface chemistry and polarization, offering new insights into the fundamental physics of hafnia and new opportunities for controlling ferroelectric functionality in future electronic and neuromorphic devices.