Strain-induced Defect Superstructure on the SrTiO3(110) Surface

TL;DR

This study combines microscopy and theoretical calculations to analyze the defect structures on SrTiO3(110) surfaces, revealing how strain can be used to control defect arrangements for material engineering.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of defect superstructures on SrTiO3(110) surfaces and demonstrates strain engineering as a method to tune defect density and distribution.

Findings

Antiphase domains form along surface stripes.

Defect pairs include Ti2O3 vacancies and Sr adatoms.

Defect arrangements can be controlled by strain.

Abstract

We report on a combined scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculation study of the SrTiO3(110)-(4 x 1) surface. It is found that antiphase domains are formed along the [1-10]-oriented stripes on the surface. The domain boundaries are decorated by defects pairs consisting of Ti2O3 vacancies and Sr adatoms, which relieve the residual stress. The formation energy of, and interactions between, vacancies result in a defect superstructure. It is suggested that the density and distributions of defects can be tuned by strain engineering, providing a fexible platform for the designed growth of complex oxide materials.