1,014 research outputs found
Strain-mediated metal-insulator transition in epitaxial ultra-thin films of NdNiO3
We have synthesized epitaxial NdNiO ultra-thin films in a
layer-by-layer growth mode under tensile and compressive strain on SrTiO
(001) and LaAlO (001), respectively. A combination of X-ray diffraction,
temperature dependent resistivity, and soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy has
been applied to elucidate electronic and structural properties of the samples.
In contrast to the bulk NdNiO, the metal-insulator transition under
compressive strain is found to be completely quenched, while the transition
remains under the tensile strain albeit modified from the bulk behavior.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Effect of polar discontinuity on the growth of LaNiO3/LaAlO3 superlattices
We have conducted a detailed microscopic investigation of [LaNiO3(1
u.c.)/LaAlO3(1 u.c.)]N superlattices grown on (001) SrTiO3 and LaAlO3 to
explore the influence of polar mismatch on the resulting electronic and
structural properties. Our data demonstrate that the initial growth on the
non-polar SrTiO3 surface leads to a rough morphology and unusual 2+ valence of
Ni in the first LaNiO3 layer, which is not observed after growth on the polar
surface of LaAlO3. A newly devised model suggests that the polar mismatch can
be resolved if the perovskite layers grow with an excess of LaO, which also
accounts for the observed electronic, chemical, and structural effects.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figure
On Magnetic Interlayer Coupling and Proximity Effect in a LaCaMnO(10 nm)/YBaCuO(10 nm) Superlattice
We present a study of interlayer coupling and proximity effects in a
LaCaMnO(10 nm)/YBaCuO(10 nm) superlattice.
Using element-sensitive x-ray probes, the magnetic state of Mn can be probed
without seeing the strong diamagnetism of the superconductor, which makes this
approach ideal to study changes in the magnetic properties across the
superconducting transition. By a combined experiment using {\it in situ}
transport measurements during polarized soft x-ray measurements, we were able
to see no noticeable influence of the superconducting state on the magnetic
properties and no evidence for magnetic coupling across a 10 nm YBCO layer.Comment: 4 pages, submitted to Applied Physics Letter
Local Environment of Ferromagnetically Ordered Mn in Epitaxial InMnAs
The magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic semiconductor In0.98Mn0.02As
were characterized by x-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray magnetic circular
dichroism. The Mn exhibits an atomic-like L2,3 absorption spectrum that
indicates that the 3d states are highly localized. In addition, a large
dichroism at the Mn L2,3 edge was observed from 5-300 K at an applied field of
2T. A calculated spectrum assuming atomic Mn2+ yields the best agreement with
the experimental InMnAs spectrum. A comparison of the dichroism spectra of MnAs
and InMnAs show clear differences suggesting that the ferromagnetism observed
in InMnAs is not due to hexagonal MnAs clusters. The temperature dependence of
the dichroism indicates the presence of two ferromagnetic species, one with a
transition temperature of 30 K and another with a transition temperature in
excess of 300 K. The dichroism spectra are consistent with the assignment of
the low temperature species to random substitutional Mn and the high
temperature species to Mn near-neighbor pairs.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, accepted by Applied Physics Letter
Orbital control in strained ultra-thin LaNiO/LaAlO superlattices
In pursuit of rational control of orbital polarization, we present a combined
experimental and theoretical study of single unit cell superlattices of the
correlated metal LaNiO and the band insulator LaAlO. Polarized x-ray
absorption spectra show a distinct asymmetry in the orbital response under
strain. A splitting of orbital energies consistent with octahedral distortions
is found for the case of compressive strain. In sharp contrast, for tensile
strain, no splitting is found although a strong orbital polarization is
present. Density functional theory calculations including a Hubbard U term
reveal that this asymmetry is a result of the interplay of strain and
confinement induces octahedral rotations and distortions and altered covalency
in the bonding across the interfacial Ni-O-Al apical oxygen, leading to a
charge disporportionation at the Ni sites for tensile strain.Comment: 4 pages. 5 figure
Statistical observations of the trajectories of neutrally buoyant floats in the North Atlantic
This is a report of the statistical behavior of neutrally buoyant SOFAR floats, drifting at 1500 m depth in the Sargasso Sea where the currents are dominantly time-dependent. The float level is fairly typical of the deep ocean below the main thermocline...
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