Effects of unreconstructed and reconstructed polar surface terminations on growth, structure, and magnetic properties of hematite films
The effects of polar surface stabilization mechanisms on the film growth, phase composition, surface and interface structure, and magnetic properties are explored for polar oxide interfaces formed by the epitaxial growth of hematite films on magnesia and alumina single crystals. Growth of {alpha}-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}(0001) on the ({radical}3 x {radical}3)R30{sup o} and (2 x 2) reconstructed MgO(111) surfaces results in formation of a self-organized Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}(111) interfacial nano buffer that persists after growth. The interfacial magnetite-like phase is absent from the hematite films formed on hydrogen-stabilized unreconstructed MgO(111)-(1 x 1) and on Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}(0001)-(1 x 1) surfaces under equivalent conditions. This study suggests that in addition to the customary strain, spin, and band-gap engineering, control of surface polarity stabilization could also be important for electronic and magnetic device engineering.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 1034570
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-61050; 19856; KP1704020; TRN: US201203%%623
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Vol. 85, Issue 4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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