Tuning the structure of ultrathin BaTiO3 films on Me(001) (Me=Fe, Pd, Pt) surfaces

Two-dimensional oxide quasicrystal approximants with tunable electronic and magnetic properties

Recently, the discovery of the quasiperiodic order in ultra-thin perovskite films reinvigorated the field of 2-dimensional oxides on metals, and raised the question of the reasons behind the emergence of the quasiperiodic order in these systems. The effect of size-mismatch between the two separate systems has been widely reported as a key factor governing the formation of new oxide structures on metals. Herein, we show that electronic effects can play an important role as well. To this end, the structural, thermodynamic, electronic and magnetic properties of freestanding two-dimensional oxide quasicrystalline approximants and their characteristics when deposited over metallic substrates are systematically investigated to unveil the structure-property relationships within the series. Our thermodynamic approach suggests that the formation of these aperiodic systems is likely for a wide range of compositions. In addition, the magnetic properties and work functions of the thin films can be controlled by tuning their chemical composition. This work provides well-founded general insights into the driving forces behind the emergence of the quasiperiodic order in ternary oxides grown on elemental metals and offers guidelines for the discovery of new oxide quasicrystalline ultra-thin films with interesting physical properties.

Theoretical investigation of the platinum substrate influence on BaTiO3 thin film polarisation

Density functional theory calculations are performed to study the out-of-plane polarisation in BaTiO3 (BTO) thin films epitaxially grown on platinum. Prior to any polarisation calculation, the stability of the Pt(001)/BaTiO3(001) structure is thoroughly discussed. In particular, the nature of the Pt/BTO and BTO/vacuum interfaces is characterised. The growth of BTO is shown to start with a TiO2 layer while the nature of the surface termination does not broadly modify the stability. Therefore both upper terminations are considered when describing the ferroelectric behaviour in Pt/BTO interfaces. The geometric and electronic effects of the substrate on the polarisation are investigated. To isolate the electronic influence of platinum, the out-of-plane polarisation in Pt/BTO systems is compared to the one in isolated BTO slabs constrained to the same lattice mismatch induced by the epitaxial growth on platinum. The ferroelectric phase is favoured as soon as the thickness is larger than 23 Å, both for isolated and deposited BTO, for the smallest width. The Pt substrate will modify the size of polarisation domains, while an upper BaO layer through the use of asymmetric [TiO2/BaO] systems will induce an increase of the polarisation. One could take advantage of this experimentally.

2D oxides on metal materials: concepts, status, and perspectives

Two-dimensional oxide-on-metal materials: concepts, methods, and link to technological applications, with 5 subtopics: structural motifs, robustness, catalysis, ternaries, and nanopatterning.

Structural and electronic properties of Fe monolayer on BaTiO3(0 0 1)

The structural, electronic, and phonon properties of the BaTiO₃(0 0 1) surface and the Fe/BaTiO₃(0 0 1) interface have been studied within the density functional theory. Attention is paid to the lattice instabilities (soft phonon modes) that induce ferroelectric distortions in the surface and the interface. A phonon-induced monoclinic (Cm) thin-film counterpart of the low-temperature rhombohedral (R3m) ferroelectric bulk BaTiO₃ phase is found. The changes in crystal structure, electronic density of states, atomic charges, and magnetic moments associated with the ferroelectric distortions are discussed comparing the results of the standard GGA and the hybrid DFT calculations. The magnetoelectric coupling at the Fe/BaTiO₃(0 0 1) interface is investigated by the analysis of changes in magnetic moments on Fe and Ti atoms induced by the atomic displacements perpendicular and parallel to the surface.

Multiferroic properties of the PbTiO3/La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 interface studied from first principles

Magnetoelectric coupling and spin polarization at the multiferroic PbTiO₃/La_2/3Sr_1/3MnO₃ (PTO/LSMO) interface is studied from first principles in view of the recent experimental observation of the tunneling magnetoresistance sign inversion in Co/PZT/LSMO tunnel junctions (Pantel et al 2012 Nat. Mater. 11 289). Our results confirm the stabilization of the locally antiferromagnetic order in the manganite when the PTO polarization points away from the LSMO side, which changes the interface magnetization by 6.3-6.9 [Formula: see text] per surface unit cell in agreement with previous studies. We contribute by analyzing the charge transfer from the half-metallic LSMO side which induces metallicity and local magnetic moments in the interface PTO layers. This results in either p- or n-doped conductive behavior, depending on the polarization direction. Electronic correlations were determined to qualitatively change the picture for certain configurations, as far as the magnetic phase transition in the manganite and the spin character of the interface states are concerned. Most importantly, depending on the interface termination, the spin polarization of the PTO/LSMO interface is positive for one polarization state of PTO and acquires a 'spin-valve' character upon the ferroelectric switching.

Prediction of large magnetoelectric coupling in Fe4N/BaTiO3 and MnFe3N/BaTiO3 junctions from a first-principles study

The large magnetoelectric effects are predicted in Fe₄N/BaTiO₃ and MnFe₃N/BaTiO₃ junctions.

Cantilever stress measurements for pulsed laser deposition of perovskite oxides at 1000 K in an oxygen partial pressure of 10(-4) millibars

An in situ stress measurement setup using an optical 2-beam curvature technique is described which is compatible with the stringent growth conditions of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of perovskite oxides, which involves high substrate temperatures of 1000 K and oxygen partial pressures of up to 1 × 10(-4) millibars. The stress measurements are complemented by medium energy electron diffraction (MEED), Auger electron spectroscopy, and additional growth rate monitoring by a quartz microbalance. A shielded filament is used to allow for simultaneous stress and MEED measurements at high substrate temperatures. A computer-controlled mirror scans an excimer laser beam over a stationary PLD target. This avoids mechanical noise originating from rotating PLD targets, and the setup does not suffer from limited lifetime issues of ultra high vacuum (UHV) rotary feedthroughs.

Two-dimensional electron gas and its electric control at the interface between ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic insulator studied from first principles

Using first-principles methods we demonstrate the possibility of using the ferroelectric polarization to create and control a two-dimensional electron gas at a multiferroic oxide interface.