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Title: Interface structure of SrTiO{sub 3}/LaAlO{sub 3} at elevated temperatures studied in situ by synchrotron x rays

Journal Article · · Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
; ; ; ;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Low Temperature Division and MESA Research Institute, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500AE Enschede (Netherlands)
  2. European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, 6 rue Jules Horowitz, 38043 Grenoble (France)

The atomic interface structure between SrTiO{sub 3} and LaAlO{sub 3} was studied at elevated temperatures employing in situ surface x-ray diffraction. The results at 473 K indicate that the lattice distorts significantly in two ways. First, the interatomic distances between the cations across the interface become as large as 4.03(2) A. Second, the TiO{sub 6} octahedra at the interface contract their principal axis along the surface normal considerably and the Ti displaces off center. These distortions can be ascribed to the charge inbalance introduced by the change in atomic species across the interface and to a Jahn-Teller effect. The latter distortion suggests the presence of extra electrons at the interface, which is important for understanding the electronic properties of this system.

OSTI ID:
20951549
Journal Information:
Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Vol. 75, Issue 23; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.75.235417; (c) 2007 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1098-0121
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English