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Structural Basis for the Conducting Interface between LaAlO3 and SrTiO3

P. R. Willmott, S. A. Pauli, R. Herger, C. M. Schlepütz, D. Martoccia, B. D. Patterson, B. Delley, R. Clarke, D. Kumah, C. Cionca, and Y. Yacoby
Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 155502 – Published 9 October 2007

Abstract

The complete atomic structure of a five-monolayer film of LaAlO3 on SrTiO3 has been determined for the first time by surface x-ray diffraction in conjunction with the coherent Bragg rod analysis phase-retrieval method and further structural refinement. Cationic mixing at the interface results in dilatory distortions and the formation of metallic La1xSrxTiO3. By invoking electrostatic potential minimization, the ratio of Ti4+/Ti3+ across the interface was determined, from which the lattice dilation could be quantitatively explained using ionic radii considerations. The correctness of this model is supported by density functional theory calculations. Thus, the formation of a quasi-two-dimensional electron gas in this system is explained, based on structural considerations.

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  • Received 6 June 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.155502

©2007 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

P. R. Willmott1,*, S. A. Pauli1, R. Herger1, C. M. Schlepütz1, D. Martoccia1, B. D. Patterson1, B. Delley1, R. Clarke2, D. Kumah2, C. Cionca2, and Y. Yacoby3

  • 1Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen, Switzerland
  • 2Randall Laboratory of Physics and FOCUS Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1120, USA
  • 3Racah Institute of Physics, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel

  • *philip.willmott@psi.ch

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Issue

Vol. 99, Iss. 15 — 12 October 2007

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