The atomic structures of SrTiO3 (STO)/LaNiO3 (LNO)/STO heterostructure interfaces were investigated by spherical aberration-corrected (CS) (scanning) transmission electron microscopy. Atomic displacement and lattice distortion measurements and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) were used to quantitatively analyze the distortion of the interfacial octahedra and the bond length at the interfaces. Combined with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy analyses, two distinct interfacial atomic terminating layers are unambiguously determined. Ensuing quantitative HRTEM measurements revealed that the Ni-O bond length in the interfacial octahedral is elongated at the bottom interface (–NiO2-SrO–). Atomic displacement shows structural relaxation effects when crossing the interfaces and lattice distortions across the interface is more pronounced in LNO than in STO. The Ti/O atomic ratio, La and Ti relative atomic ratio as derived by EELS quantification indicate non-stoichiometric composition at the interfaces. Distinct fine structures of Ti-L2,3 edge and O-K edge at the bottom and top interfaces are observed. By comparison, we are able to estimate Ti valency at both interfaces. Combining the structural distortions and Ti valency, the polar discontinuity and charge transfer at the interfaces are discussed.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
14 March 2014
Research Article|
March 14 2014
Revealing the atomic and electronic structure of a SrTiO3/LaNiO3/SrTiO3 heterostructure interface
Zaoli Zhang;
Zaoli Zhang
a)
1
Erich Schmid Institute of Materials Science, Austrian Academy of Sciences
, Leoben, Austria
2
Electron Microscopy Group for Materials Science, University of Ulm
, Ulm, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
S. Soltan;
S. Soltan
3
Max-Planck Institute for Solid State Research
, D-70561 Stuttgart, Germany
4
Faculty of Science, Helwan University
, 11795 Cairo, Egypt
Search for other works by this author on:
H. Schmid;
H. Schmid
5
INM—Leibniz-Institut für Neue Materialien
, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
H.-U. Habermeier;
H.-U. Habermeier
3
Max-Planck Institute for Solid State Research
, D-70561 Stuttgart, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
B. Keimer;
B. Keimer
3
Max-Planck Institute for Solid State Research
, D-70561 Stuttgart, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
U. Kaiser
U. Kaiser
2
Electron Microscopy Group for Materials Science, University of Ulm
, Ulm, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
a)
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Electronic mail: zaoli.zhang@oeaw.ac.at
J. Appl. Phys. 115, 103519 (2014)
Article history
Received:
December 12 2013
Accepted:
February 01 2014
Citation
Zaoli Zhang, S. Soltan, H. Schmid, H.-U. Habermeier, B. Keimer, U. Kaiser; Revealing the atomic and electronic structure of a SrTiO3/LaNiO3/SrTiO3 heterostructure interface. J. Appl. Phys. 14 March 2014; 115 (10): 103519. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4868513
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign In
You could not be signed in. Please check your credentials and make sure you have an active account and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Sign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionPay-Per-View Access
$40.00
Citing articles via
Related Content
Interface control of ferroelectricity in LaNiO3-BaTiO3 superlattices
AIP Advances (August 2014)
Insulating-layer formation of metallic LaNiO3 on Nb-doped SrTiO3 substrate
Appl. Phys. Lett. (March 2015)
Preparation of epitaxial metallic LaNiO3 films on SrTiO3 by metalorganic decomposition for the oriented growth of PbTiO3
Appl. Phys. Lett. (July 1996)
Polarity and charge redistribution induced emergent interfacial ferromagnetism in non-magnetic LaNiO3/SrMnO3 superlattices
Appl. Phys. Lett. (November 2020)
Joint effect of composition and strain on the anomalous transport properties of LaNiO3 films
J. Appl. Phys. (April 2015)