Cation intermixing and electronic deviations at the insulating LaCrO3/SrTiO3(001) interface

R Colby, L Qiao, K H L Zhang, V Shutthanandan, J Ciston, B Kabius, S A Chambers

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    The interface between polar perovskite LaCrO3 and nonpolar SrTiO3(001) grown by molecular beam epitaxy is examined using a combination of electron microscopy, spectroscopy, and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. The A-site cations of these ABO(3) perovskites are found to diffuse across the interface to a greater extent than the B-site cations, based on high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and electron-energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). The B-site cation valences are shown to be partially reduced near the interface by analysis of EELS near-edge structures. The location and direction of these electronic modifications do not intuitively compensate the charge imbalance imposed by uneven cation interdiffusion, and yet both the film and interface are insulating. These results highlight the importance of considering both the physical and electronic structure of such complex interfaces in determining their characteristics.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalPhysical Review B
    Volume88
    Issue number15
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2013

    Keywords

    • energy-loss spectroscopy
    • oxide interfaces
    • stoichiometry
    • chromium
    • srtio3
    • growth
    • charge
    • tem

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