Preventing the reconstruction of the polar discontinuity at oxide heterointerfaces

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that compositional interface engineering, specifically inserting a La0.33Sr0.67O layer, can prevent polar discontinuity reconstruction at oxide heterointerfaces, improving their magnetic and electrical properties.

Contribution

It introduces a method to eliminate polar discontinuity reconstruction at oxide interfaces through compositional interface engineering.

Findings

Insertion of La0.33Sr0.67O layer prevents reconstruction

Improved interface magnetization observed

Enhanced electrical conductivity at the interface

Abstract

Perovskite oxide heteroepitaxy receives much attention because of the possibility to com- bine the diverse functionalities of perovskite oxide building blocks. A general boundary con- dition for the epitaxy is the presence of polar discontinuities at heterointerfaces. These polar discontinuities result in reconstructions, often creating new functionalities at the interface. However, for a significant number of materials these reconstructions are unwanted as they alter the intrinsic materials properties at the interface. Therefore, a strategy to eliminate this reconstruction of the polar discontinuity at the interfaces is required. We show that the use of compositional interface engineering can prevent the reconstruction at the La0.67Sr0.33MnO3/SrTiO3 (LSMO/STO) interface. The polar discontinuity at this interface can be removed by the insertion of a single La0.33Sr0.67O layer, resulting in improved interface magnetization and electrical conductivity.