Interconversion of multiferroic domains and domain walls.

Systems with long-range order like ferromagnetism or ferroelectricity exhibit uniform, yet differently oriented three-dimensional regions called domains that are separated by two-dimensional topological defects termed domain walls. A change of the ordered state across a domain wall can lead to local non-bulk physical properties such as enhanced conductance or the promotion of unusual phases. Although highly desirable, controlled transfer of these properties between the bulk and the spatially confined walls is usually not possible. Here, we demonstrate this crossover by confining multiferroic Dy