We experimentally and theoretically investigate thermal domain evolution in near-transition KTN:Li. Results allow us to establish how polarization supercrystals form, a hidden 3D topological phase composed of hypervortex defects. These are the result of six converging polarization vortices, each associated to one orientation of the 3D broken inversion symmetry. We also identify rescaling soliton lattices and domain patterns that replicate on different scales. Findings shed light on volume domain self-organization into closed-flux patterns and open up new scenarios for topologically protected noise-resistant ferroelectric memory bits.

• Received 7 April 2023
• Revised 31 October 2023
• Accepted 5 January 2024

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.066603