Frank Schoofs

Optimized transport properties of LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterointerfaces by variation of pulsed laser fluence

We show the influence of pulsed laser deposition fluence on the transport properties of the LaAlO(3)/SrTiO(3) (LAO/STO) heterointerface. Structural characterization by x-ray diffraction and medium energy ion spectrometry enables us to deduce that the electronic behaviour is extremely sensitive to the stoichiometry of the LAO layer as well as the structural quality of the STO surface. An optimum balance of these two quantities is demonstrated for an intermediate laser fluence.

Strain dependent defect mediated ferromagnetism in Mn-doped and undoped ZnO thin films

The structural and magnetic properties of pulsed laser deposited zinc oxide thin films have been investigated. Room temperature ferromagnetism is present in undoped as well as Mn-doped films. The saturation magnetization of the thin films reveals a dependence on both the composition and the out of plane lattice parameter. X-ray magnetic circular dichroism down to 2 K reveals a purely paramagnetic contribution from the Mn in Mn:ZnO films. We conclude that the observed ferromagnetism arises entirely from intrinsic defects in the ZnO which can be varied by manipulation of the lattice parameter.

Nanopillar Spin Filter Tunnel Junctions with Manganite Barriers

The potential of a manganite ferromagnetic insulator in the field of spin-filtering has been demonstrated. For this, an ultrathin film of Sm0.75Sr0.25MnO3 is integrated as a barrier in an epitaxial oxide nanopillar tunnel junction and a high spin polarization of up to 75% at 5 K has been achieved. A large zero-bias anomaly observed in the dynamic conductance at low temperatures is explained in terms of the Kondo scattering model. In addition, a decrease in spin polarization at low bias and hysteretic magneto-resistance at low temperatures are reported. The results open up new possibilities for spin-electronics and suggest exploration of other manganites-based materials for the room temperature spin-filter applications.

Impact of structural transitions on electron transport at LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterointerfaces

We have studied conductive LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures deposited at different oxygen pressures. Photoluminescence spectra confirm the presence of a significant amount of oxygen vacancies in samples deposited at low oxygen pressures. Power law fitting of resistance versus temperature measurements reveals fundamental characteristics of the conduction mechanism at the interface. A distinct non-Fermi-liquid behavior is observed for samples grown in higher oxygen pressure, which give two-dimensionally confined conducting interfaces, whereas characteristic electron-electron scattering is observed for samples grown in lower oxygen pressures, as seen in bulk doped SrTiO3 (i.e., oxygen deficient SrTiO3). Transitions between different conduction modes occur throughout the studied temperature range (10–270 K) as a result of structural transformations in the near-surface region of the SrTiO3.

Influence of SrTiO3 substrate miscut angle on the transport properties of LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interfaces

A free charge layer forms at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface. We show the influence of the SrTiO3 (001) substrate miscut angle on its electronic and transport properties. Highly miscut substrates lead to a substantial mobility enhancement and a carrier density decrease at low temperature consistent with a two-carrier type model.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Ferromagnetism in Co-Doped Indium Tin Oxide Revealed Using X-Ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism

The effects of high-temperature annealing on ferromagnetic Co-doped Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) thin films have been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetometry, and X-Ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (XMCD). Following annealing, the magnetometry results indicate the formation of Co clusters with a significant increase in the saturation magnetization of the thin films arising from defects introduced during cluster formation. However, sum rule analysis of the element-specific XMCD results shows that the magnetic moment at the Co sites is reduced after annealing. The effects of annealing demonstrate that the ferromagnetism observed in the as-deposited Co-doped ITO films arises from intrinsic defects and cannot be related to the segregation of metallic Co clusters.