A survey of fractured SrTiO$_3$ surfaces: from the micro-meter to nano-meter scale

TL;DR

This paper surveys fractured SrTiO$_3$ surfaces across micro- to nano-scale using various microscopy techniques, revealing controlled fracturing can produce atomically flat terraces on non-cleavable perovskite oxides.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of surface topography of fractured SrTiO$_3$ at multiple scales and demonstrates controlled fracturing methods for creating flat terraces.

Findings

Atomically flat terraces can be routinely created on SrTiO$_3$

Multiple microscopy techniques reveal detailed surface topography

Controlled fracturing enables precise surface engineering

Abstract

Cross-sectional scanning tunneling microscopy was utilized to study fractured perovskie oxide surfaces. It was found for the non-cleavable perovskite oxide, SrTiO$_{3}$, that atomically flat terraces could be routinely created with a controlled fracturing procedure. Optical and scanning electron microscopy as well as a profilometer were used to obtain the information from sub-millimeter to sub-micrometer scales of the fractured surface topography.