Switching a Polar Metal via Strain Gradients

Although rare, spontaneous breakdown of inversion symmetry sometimes occurs in a material which is metallic: these are commonly known as polar metals or ferroelectric metals. Their 'polarization', however, cannot be switched via an electric field, limits the experimental control over band topology. Here we shall investigate, first-principles theory, flexoelectricity possible way around this obstacle with well metal LiOsO$_3$. The flexocoupling coefficients computed for high accuracy completely new approach based on real-space sums inter-atomic force constants. A Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire-type Hamiltonian built and critical bending radius to switch estimated, whose order magnitude comparable that BaTiO$_3$.