Electronically coupled complementary interfaces between perovskite band insulators

Perovskite oxides exhibit a plethora of exceptional electronic properties, providing the basis for novel concepts of oxide-electronic devices. The interest in these materials is even extended by the remarkable characteristics of their interfaces. Studies on single epitaxial connections between the two wide-bandgap insulators LaAlO3 and SrTiO3 have revealed them to be either high-mobility electron conductors or insulating, depending on the atomic stacking sequences. In the latter case they are conceivably positively charged. For device applications, as well as for basic understanding of the interface conduction mechanism, it is important to investigate the electronic coupling of closely-spaced complementary interfaces. Here we report the successful realization of such electronically coupled complementary interfaces in SrTiO3 - LaAlO3 thin film multilayer structures, in which the atomic stacking sequence at the interfaces was confirmed by quantitative transmission electron microscopy. We found a critical separation distance of 6 perovskite unit cell layers, corresponding to approximately 2.3 nm, below which a decrease of the interface conductivity and carrier density occurs. Interestingly, the high carrier mobilities characterizing the separate electron doped interfaces are found to be maintained in coupled structures down to sub-nanometer interface spacing

Out-of-plane magnetic domain structure in a thin film of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 on SrTiO3 (001) observed by magnetic force microscopy

The room temperature out-of-plane magnetization of epitaxial thin films of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 on SrTiO3 (001) has been investigated with magnetic force microscopy, using magnetic tips with very small coercivity, relative to the film. A clear magnetic pattern in the form of a checkerboard, with domain dimensions of a few hundred nanometers, was found for the thin, coherently strained films, which is approximately aligned along the maximum strain [110] and [1[overline 1]0] directions in the film. With increasing in-plane applied magnetic field, the magnetic contrast reduces, reflecting the rotation of the magnetization vector into the plane of the film. This process is reversible with the field. The out-of-plane magnetic pattern is not sensitive to rotation of the in-plane field. We attribute the observed out-of-plane magnetization component to an out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy, which is a remainder of the [111] magnetic easy axis in bulk La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 single crystal

Localized Control of Curie Temperature in Perovskite Oxide Film by Capping-layer- induced Octahedral Distortion

With reduced dimensionality, it is often easier to modify the properties of ultra-thin films than their bulk counterparts. Strain engineering, usually achieved by choosing appropriate substrates, has been proven effective in controlling the properties of perovskite oxide films. An emerging alternative route for developing new multifunctional perovskite is by modification of the oxygen octahedral structure. Here we report the control of structural oxygen octahedral rotation in ultra-thin perovskite SrRuO3 films by the deposition of a SrTiO3 capping layer, which can be lithographically patterned to achieve local control. Using a scanning Sagnac magnetic microscope, we show increase in the Curie temperature of SrRuO3 due to the suppression octahedral rotations revealed by the synchrotron x-ray diffraction. This capping-layer-based technique may open new possibilities for developing functional oxide materials.Comment: Main-text 5 pages, SI 6 pages. To appear in Physical Review Letter

Admixtures to d-wave gap symmetry in untwinned YBa2Cu3O7 superconducting films measured by angle-resolved electron tunneling

We report on an \textit{ab}-anisotropy of $J_{c \parallel b}/J_{c \parallel a}$ and $I_{c}R_{n \parallel b}/I_{c}R_{n \parallel a}\cong 1.2$ in ramp-edge junctions between untwinned YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{7}$ and $s$% -wave Nb. For these junctions, the angle $\theta$ with the YBa$_{2}$Cu$_{3}$O$_{7}$ crystal b-axis is varied as a single parameter. The $R_{n}$A($\theta$)-dependence presents 2-fold symmetry. The minima in $I_{c}R_{n}$ at $\theta \cong 50^{\circ}$ suggest a real s-wave subdominant component and negligible $d_{xy}$-wave or imaginary s-wave admixtures. The $I_{c}R_{n}$($\theta$)-dependence is well-fitted by 83% $d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}$-, 15% isotropic $s$- and 2% anisotropic s-wave order parameter symmetry, consistent with $\Delta_{b}/\Delta_{a} \cong 1.5$.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Physical Review Letter

Determination of the spin-flip time in ferromagnetic SrRuO3 from time-resolved Kerr measurements

We report time-resolved Kerr effect measurements of magnetization dynamics in ferromagnetic SrRuO3. We observe that the demagnetization time slows substantially at temperatures within 15K of the Curie temperature, which is ~ 150K. We analyze the data with a phenomenological model that relates the demagnetization time to the spin flip time. In agreement with our observations the model yields a demagnetization time that is inversely proportional to T-Tc. We also make a direct comparison of the spin flip rate and the Gilbert damping coefficient showing that their ratio very close to kBTc, indicating a common origin for these phenomena

Optimized fabrication of high quality La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 thin films considering all essential characteristics

In this article, an overview of the fabrication and properties of high quality La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO) thin films is given. A high quality LSMO film combines a smooth surface morphology with a large magnetization and a small residual resistivity, while avoiding precipitates and surface segregation. In literature, typically only a few of these issues are adressed. We therefore present a thorough characterization of our films, which were grown by pulsed laser deposition. The films were characterized with reflection high energy electron diffraction, atomic force microscopy, x-ray diffraction, magnetization and transport measurements, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy. The films have a saturation magnetization of 4.0 {\mu}B/Mn, a Curie temperature of 350 K and a residual resistivity of 60 {\mu}{\Omega}cm. These results indicate that high quality films, combining both large magnetization and small residual resistivity, were realized. A comparison between different samples presented in literature shows that focussing on a single property is insufficient for the optimization of the deposition process. For high quality films, all properties have to be adressed. For LSMO devices, the thin film quality is crucial for the device performance. Therefore, this research is important for the application of LSMO in devices.Comment: Accepted for publication in Journal of Physics D - Applied Physic

Superconducting thin films of MgB2 on (001)-Si by pulsed laser deposition

Superconducting thin films have been prepared on Si-substrates, using pulsed laser deposition from a target composed of a mixture of Mg and MgB2 powders. The films were deposited at room temperature and post-annealed at 600 degrees C. The zero resistance transition temperatures were 12 K, with an onset transition temperature of 27 K. Special care has been taken to avoid oxidation of Mg in the laser plasma and deposited film, by optimizing the background pressure of Ar gas in the deposition chamber. For this the optical emission in the visible range from the plasma has been used as indicator. Preventing Mg from oxidation was found to be essential to obtain superconducting films

Two-Dimensional Confinement of 3d1 Electrons in LaTiO3/LaAlO3 Multilayers

We report spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements of the anisotropy of the interband transitions parallel and perpendicular to the planes of (LaTiO3)n(LaAlO3)5 multilayers with n = 1-3. These provide direct information about the electronic structure of the two-dimensional (2D) 3d^1 state of the Ti ions. In combination with LDA+U calculations, we suggest that 2D confinement in the TiO2 slabs lifts the degeneracy of the t_{2g} states leaving only the planar d_xy orbitals occupied. We outline that these multilayers can serve as a model system for the study of the t_{2g} 2D Hubbard model.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let

Diversity in the Scope and Practice of Hospital-Based Midwives in the Netherlands

Prevention, Population and Disease management (PrePoD