Two-dimensional magnetic and superconducting phases in metal-insulator La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO(4) superlattices measured by muon-spin rotation

Fabrication of High-Temperature Quasi-Two-Dimensional Superconductors at the Interface of a Ferroelectric Ba_{0.8}Sr_{0.2}TiO_{3} Film and an Insulating Parent Compound of La_{2}CuO_{4}

We report the first observation of superconductivity in a heterostructure consisting of an insulating ferroelectric film (Ba_{0.8}Sr_{0.2}TiO_{3}) grown on an insulating parent compound of La_{2}CuO_{4} with [001] orientation. The heterostructure was prepared by magnetron sputtering on a nonatomically flat surface with inhomogeneities of the order of 1-2 nm. The measured superconducting transition temperature T_{c} is about 30 K. We have shown that superconductivity is confined near the interface region. Application of a weak magnetic field perpendicular to the interface leads to the appearance of the finite resistance. That confirms the quasi-two-dimensional nature of the superconductive state. The proposed concept promises ferroelectrically controlled interface superconductivity which offers the possibility of novel design of electronic devices.

Intrinsic or Interface Clustering-Induced Ferromagnetism in Fe-Doped In2O3-Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors

Five percent Fe-doped In₂O₃ films were deposited using a pulsed laser deposition system. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis show that the films deposited under oxygen partial pressures of 10^-3 and 10^-5 Torr are uniform without clusters or secondary phases. However, the film deposited under 10^-7 Torr has a Fe-rich phase at the interface. Magnetic measurements demonstrate that the magnetization of the films increases with decreasing oxygen partial pressure. Muon spin relaxation (μSR) analysis indicates that the volume fractions of the ferromagnetic phases in PO₂ = 10^-3, 10^-5, and 10^-7 Torr-deposited samples are 23, 49, and 68%, respectively, suggesting that clusters or secondary phases may not be the origin of the ferromagnetism and that the ferromagnetism is not carrier-mediated. We propose that the formation of magnetic bound polarons is the origin of the ferromagnetism. In addition, both μSR and polarized neutron scattering demonstrate that the Fe-rich phase at the interface has a lower magnetization compared to the uniformly distributed phases.

Dopant size effects on novel functionalities: High-temperature interfacial superconductivity

Among the range of complex interactions, especially at the interfaces of epitaxial oxide systems, contributing to the occurrence of intriguing effects, a predominant role is played by the local structural parameters. In this study, oxide molecular beam epitaxy grown lanthanum cuprate-based bilayers (consisting of a metallic (M) and an insulating phase (I)), in which high-temperature superconductivity arises as a consequence of interface effects, are considered. With the aim of assessing the role of the dopant size on local crystal structure and chemistry, and on the interface functionalities, different dopants (Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and, Ba²⁺) are employed in the M-phase, and the M–I bilayers are investigated by complementary techniques, including spherical-aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. A series of exciting outcomes are found: (i) the average out-of-plane lattice parameter of the bilayers is linearly dependent on the dopant ion size, (ii) each dopant redistributes at the interface with a characteristic diffusion length, and (iii) the superconductivity properties are highly dependent on the dopant of choice. Hence, this study highlights the profound impact of the dopant size and related interface chemistry on the functionalities of superconducting oxide systems.

Intrinsic Ferromagnetism in the Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor Co:TiO_{2}

Here we present a study of magnetism in Co_{0.05}Ti_{0.95}O_{2-δ} anatase films grown by pulsed laser deposition under a variety of oxygen partial pressures and deposition rates. Energy-dispersive spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy analyses indicate that a high deposition rate leads to a homogeneous microstructure, while a very low rate or postannealing results in cobalt clustering. Depth resolved low-energy muon spin rotation experiments show that films grown at a low oxygen partial pressure (≈10^{-6}  torr) with a uniform structure are fully magnetic, indicating intrinsic ferromagnetism. First principles calculations identify the beneficial role of low oxygen partial pressure in the realization of uniform carrier-mediated ferromagnetism. This work demonstrates that Co:TiO_{2} is an intrinsic diluted magnetic semiconductor.

The phase diagram of electron-doped La(2-x)Ce(x)CuO(4-δ)

Superconductivity is a striking example of a quantum phenomenon in which electrons move coherently over macroscopic distances without scattering. The high-temperature superconducting oxides (cuprates) are the most studied class of superconductors, composed of two-dimensional CuO2 planes separated by other layers that control the electron concentration in the planes. A key unresolved issue in cuprates is the relationship between superconductivity and magnetism. Here we report a sharp phase boundary of static three-dimensional magnetic order in the electron-doped superconductor La(2-x)Ce(x)CuO(4-δ), where small changes in doping or depth from the surface switch the material from superconducting to magnetic. Using low-energy spin-polarized muons, we find that static magnetism disappears close to where superconductivity begins and well below the doping level at which dramatic changes in the transport properties are reported. These results indicate a higher degree of symmetry between the electron and hole-doped cuprates than previously thought.

Spin excitations in a single La2CuO4 layer

Cuprates and other high-temperature superconductors consist of two-dimensional layers that are crucial to their properties. The dynamics of the quantum spins in these layers lie at the heart of the mystery of the cuprates. In bulk cuprates such as La(2)CuO(4), the presence of a weak coupling between the two-dimensional layers stabilizes a three-dimensional magnetic order up to high temperatures. In a truly two-dimensional system however, thermal spin fluctuations melt long-range order at any finite temperature. Here, we measure the spin response of isolated layers of La(2)CuO(4) that are only one-unit-cell-thick. We show that coherent magnetic excitations, magnons, known from the bulk order, persist even in a single layer of La(2)CuO(4), with no evidence for more complex correlations such as resonating valence bond correlations. These magnons are, therefore, well described by spin-wave theory (SWT). On the other hand, we also observe a high-energy magnetic continuum in the isotropic magnetic response that is not well described by two-magnon SWT, or indeed any existing theories.