Ferroelectric domain walls are important for nanoelectronic devices due to their sensitivity to external stimuli, particularly optical signals.
Researchers demonstrated that in-plane polarized subdomains in ferroelectric BaTiO can be controlled optically, allowing for reversible movement of domain walls.
The study also suggests that flexoelectricity, rather than long-range ferroelectric polarization, plays a crucial role in optical control, making ferroelastic materials viable for future nanoelectronics.