Strain-induced coupling of electrical polarization and structural defects in SrMnO3 films

Becher, Carsten ; Maurel, Laura (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Aschauer, Ulrich ; Lilienblum, Martin ; Magén, César (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Meier, Dennis ; Langenberg, Eric ; Trassin, Morgan ; Blasco, Javier ; Krug, Ingo P. ; Algarabel, Pedro A. ; Spaldin, Nicola A. ; Pardo, José A. ; Fiebig, Manfred

Resumen: Local perturbations in complex oxides, such as domain walls, strain and defects, are of interest because they can modify the conduction or the dielectric and magnetic response, and can even promote phase transitions. Here, we show that the interaction between different types of local perturbations in oxide thin films is an additional source of functionality. Taking SrMnO 3 as a model system, we use nonlinear optics to verify the theoretical prediction that strain induces a polar phase, and apply density functional theory to show that strain simultaneously increases the concentration of oxygen vacancies. These vacancies couple to the polar domain walls, where they establish an electrostatic barrier to electron migration. The result is a state with locally structured room-temperature conductivity consisting of conducting nanosized polar domains encased by insulating domain boundaries, which we resolve using scanning probe microscopy. Our 'nanocapacitor' domains can be individually charged, suggesting stable capacitance nanobits with a potential for information storage technology.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2015.108

Año: 2015

Publicado en: Nature Nanotechnology 10, 8 (2015), 661-666
ISSN: 1748-3387

Factor impacto JCR: 35.267 (2015)

Categ. JCR: NANOSCIENCE & NANOTECHNOLOGY rank: 1 / 83 = 0.012 (2015) - Q1 - T1
Categ. JCR: MATERIALS SCIENCE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY rank: 2 / 271 = 0.007 (2015) - Q1 - T1

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 18.842 - Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics (Q1) - Bioengineering (Q1) - Biomedical Engineering (Q1) - Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (Q1) - Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Q1) - Materials Science (miscellaneous) (Q1) - Condensed Matter Physics (Q1)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/E26-304043
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/MAT2011-27553-C02
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/MAT2012-38213-C02-01
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/MAT2014-51982-C2

Tipo y forma: Article (PrePrint)

Área (Departamento): Área Física Materia Condensada (Dpto. Física Materia Condensa.)