Electrically controlled atomic writing and emergent properties in YCoO₃ films

On the demands of high-precision and reconfigurable fabrication of nano-electronic devices, this work adopts the scanning probe-based modulation technique to achieve mask-free high-resolution nanopatterning and reversible hydrogen writing on YCoO_3 thin films. By precisely controlling the electric bias, the intense electric field produced by the atomic probe can electrically catalyze and drive the directional migration and selective intercalation of hydrogen ions, thereby enabling localized modulation of the lattice and electrical properties of YCoO_3 thin films with the best spatial resolution of 100 nm. Direct hydrogen writing by the atomic probe induces an obvious out-of-plane lattice expansion, decreased electrical conductivity, and obvious optical contrast. Moreover, the modified YCoO_3 thin films possess excellent thermal stability and demonstrate very nice erasing-writing reversibility. By leveraging the strong ion-lattice-charge coupling in YCoO_3 systems, this work provides a powerful reconfigurable strategy for the fabrication and integration of high spatial resolution and high-throughput electronic devices.