BiFeO3/YBa2Cu3O7−δ heterostructures for strong ferroelectric modulation of superconductivity

Abstract

We describe the growth, structural, and functional characterization of BiFeO3/YBa2Cu3O7−δ ferroelectric/superconductor heterostructures. High-structural-quality bilayers are obtained, which display good ferroelectric and superconducting properties. We demonstrate that an unusually strong field-effect modulation of the YBa2Cu3O7−δ superconducting critical temperature can be produced upon ferroelectric switching of the BiFeO3 overlayer, and we show that this effect is non-volatile and reversible.