Correlation between surface rumpling and structural phase transformation of SrTiO3

TL;DR

This study investigates how surface rumpling in SrTiO3 correlates with its structural phase transition from cubic to tetragonal at around 105 K, using various surface and structural measurement techniques.

Contribution

It reveals a reversible surface rumpling transformation in SrTiO3 linked to its phase change, providing new insights into surface-structure interactions during phase transitions.

Findings

Surface rumpling occurs below ~105 K.

Rumpling is correlated with cubic to tetragonal transition.

The transformation is reversible.

Abstract

We present x-ray reflectivity, x-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy measurements of single crystal SrTiO3 taken as a function of temperature. We found a rumpling transformation of the SrTiO3 surface after cooling the sample below ~105 K. The rumpling transformation is correlated with the cubic to tetragonal phase transformation that occurs at the same temperature. The rumpling transformation is reversible.