Effects of unreconstructed and reconstructed polar surface terminations on growth, structure, and magnetic properties of hematite films

S. H. Cheung, A. Celik-Aktas, P. Dey, K. Pande, M. Weinert, B. Kabius, D. J. Keavney, V. K. Lazarov, S. A. Chambers, M. Gajdardziska-Josifovska

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effects of polar surface stabilization mechanisms on the film growth, phase composition, surface and interface structure, and magnetic properties are explored for polar oxide interfaces formed by the epitaxial growth of hematite films on magnesia and alumina single crystals. Growth of α-Fe 2O 3(0001) on the (√3×√3)R30° and (2 × 2) reconstructed MgO(111) surfaces results in formation of a self-organized Fe 3O 4(111) interfacial nano buffer that persists after growth. The interfacial magnetite-like phase is absent from the hematite films formed on hydrogen-stabilized unreconstructed MgO(111)-(1 × 1) and on Al 2O 3(0001)-(1 × 1) surfaces under equivalent conditions. This study suggests that in addition to the customary strain, spin, and band-gap engineering, control of surface polarity stabilization could also be important for electronic and magnetic device engineering.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number045405
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume85
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 5 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of unreconstructed and reconstructed polar surface terminations on growth, structure, and magnetic properties of hematite films'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this