• Accepted Paper

Polarization rotation-driven spin-topological transition in ferroelectric bismuth monolayer

Jinming Zhai, Lingzhi Cao, Yateng Wang, Huicong Li, Zhilong Yang, Yali Yang, and Jiangang He

Phys. Rev. Lett. - Accepted 28 October, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/8c35-lrx8

Abstract

Bismuth monolayer is the first two-dimensional elemental ferroelectric and an appealing platform for coupling polar order to spin-orbit-driven topology. However, its microscopic switching mechanism remains elusive. Here, using first-principles lattice dynamics and symmetry-adapted mode analysis, we identify a previously overlooked rotational pathway for in-plane polarization switching. Its energy barrier is more than four times lower than that of direct reversal, naturally explaining the vortexlike domain textures observed in molecular dynamics simulations. Remarkably, this polarization rotation also drives a spin-topological transition, changing the spin Chern number from Cs=−2 to 0. Directional uniaxial strain further steers the polarization orientation and tunes the associated topological transition. These results establish polarization rotation as a feasible switching mechanism of ferroelectric Bi monolayer and as an efficient route to electrically and mechanically programmable topology in two-dimensional ferroelectrics.

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