Understanding interface effects in perovskite thin films

TL;DR

This paper investigates the microscopic mechanisms of interface effects in perovskite thin films, proposing a model to understand substrate constraints and energetic contributions, validated against experimental data.

Contribution

It introduces a new model describing interface interactions in epitaxial perovskite films, aiding the design of materials with tailored properties.

Findings

Model accurately describes interface energetics

Consistent with experimental results

Provides insights into substrate constraint effects

Abstract

The control of matter properties (transport, magnetic, dielectric,...) using synthesis as thin films is strongly hindered by the lack of reliable theories, able to guide the design of new systems, through the understanding of the interface effects and of the way the substrate constraints are imposed to the material. The present paper analyses the energetic contributions at the interfaces, and proposes a model describing the microscopic mechanisms governing the interactions at an epitaxial interface between a manganite and another transition metal oxide in perovskite structure (as for instance $\rm SrTiO_3$). The model is checked against experimental results and literature analysis.