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arXiv · 1203.6729

Preventing the reconstruction of the polar discontinuity at oxide heterointerfaces

Hans Boschker·Jo Verbeeck·Ricardo Egoavil·Sara Bals·Gustaf van Tendeloo·Mark Huijben·Evert P. Houwman·Gertjan Koster·Dave H. A. Blank·Guus Rijnders
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Abstract

Perovskite oxide heteroepitaxy receives much attention because of the possibility to com- bine the diverse functionalities of perovskite oxide building blocks. A general boundary con- dition for the epitaxy is the presence of polar discontinuities at heterointerfaces. These polar discontinuities result in reconstructions, often creating new functionalities at the interface. However, for a significant number of materials these reconstructions are unwanted as they alter the intrinsic materials properties at the interface. Therefore, a strategy to eliminate this reconstruction of the polar discontinuity at the interfaces is required. We show that the use of compositional interface engineering can prevent the reconstruction at the La0.67Sr0.33MnO3/SrTiO3 (LSMO/STO) interface. The polar discontinuity at this interface can be removed by the insertion of a single La0.33Sr0.67O layer, resulting in improved interface magnetization and electrical conductivity.

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Hans Boschker, Jo Verbeeck, Ricardo Egoavil, Sara Bals, Gustaf van Tendeloo, Mark Huijben, Evert P. Houwman, Gertjan Koster, Dave H. A. Blank, Guus Rijnders. 2012-03-30. Preventing the reconstruction of the polar discontinuity at oxide heterointerfaces. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201102763

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