- Letter
Reconfigurable oxide nanoelectronics by tip-induced electron delocalization
Phys. Rev. Applied 25, L051003 – Published 7 May, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/pv6m-63fz
Abstract
Reconfigurable oxide nanoelectronics, enabled by conductive atomic force microscope (cAFM) lithography, have established complex oxide interfaces as a promising platform for quantum engineering that harnesses emergent phenomena for advanced functionalities. However, this cAFM nanofabrication process can occur only in air, with simultaneous device decay described under the “water-cycle” writing mechanism. These restrictions pose ongoing challenges for device optimization in the quantum regime at millikelvin temperatures. Here we demonstrate a “waterless” cAFM lithography approach that is compatible with vacuum and cryogenic environments. Through oxygen vacancy engineering at the interface, we have achieved nonvolatile and reconfigurable cAFM control of nanoscale interfacial polaron-electron liquid transition at millikelvin temperatures with an ultrafine line resolution of 0.85 nm. Supported by first-principles calculations and drift-diffusion modeling, we show that tip-controlled oxygen vacancy electromigration plays a key role. This advancement bridges reconfigurable device fabrication and concurrent characterization in situ at millikelvin temperatures, and establishes a versatile Hubbard toolbox for engineering programmable quantum phases in correlated oxides.