Attenuation of superconductivity in manganite/cuprate heterostructures by epitaxially-induced CuO intergrowths

Zhang, H.; Gauquelin, Nicolas; Botton, Gianluigi A.; Wei, J.Y.T.

doi:10.1063/1.4813840

Cited by 25 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…7 In the present study, we focus on defect phases associated with Ba-O and Y-O intergrowths in heteroepitaxial YBCO123 thin films both with and without LCMO overlayers. Two novel types of planar defects are unequivocally observed, both deviating from the normal stacking sequence (CuO-BaO-CuO 2 -Y-CuO 2 -BaO) of the YBCO123 lattice.…”

confidence: 99%

“…4,5 YBCO123 in heteroepitaxial form is known to contain a variety of crystalline defects, as its layered perovskite structure is sensitive to lattice strains induced by the epitaxial mismatch. [6][7][8][9][10][11] Since such defects may also affect the microscopic pairing mechanism, it is important to determine their lattice structures at the atomic scale. There is solid experimental evidence to suggest that the interfacial lattice mismatch in heteroepitaxial thin films of complex oxides can, through induced lattice strains, affect the microstructure in the film.…”

confidence: 99%

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Atomic-scale identification of novel planar defect phases in heteroepitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films

et al. 2018

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We have discovered two novel types of planar defects that appear in heteroepitaxial YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ (YBCO123) thin films, grown by pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) either with or without a La 2/3 Ca 1/3 MnO 3 (LCMO) overlayer, using the combination of high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) imaging and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) mapping for unambiguous identification. These planar lattice defects are based on the intergrowth of either a BaO plane between two CuO chains or multiple Y-O layers between two CuO 2 planes, resulting in non-stoichiometric layer sequences that could directly impact the high-T c superconductivity.Recently, a great deal of interest has been focused on thin-film heterostructures comprising YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ (YBCO123) and other complex oxides, because of novel interfacial interactions 1-3 that could affect the highcritical temperature (T c ) superconductivity. 4,5 YBCO123 in heteroepitaxial form is known to contain a variety of crystalline defects, as its layered perovskite structure is sensitive to lattice strains induced by the epitaxial mismatch. [6][7][8][9][10][11] Since such defects may also affect the microscopic pairing mechanism, it is important to determine their lattice structures at the atomic scale. There is solid experimental evidence to suggest that the interfacial lattice mismatch in heteroepitaxial thin films of complex oxides can, through induced lattice strains, affect the microstructure in the film.In an earlier study of YBCO123 thin films heterostructured with La 2/3 Ca 1/3 MnO 3 (LCMO) overlayers, we observed nanoscale domains of YBCO124 and YBCO247 containing CuO-chain intergrowths, which were attributed to the heteroepitaxial strain and also shown to cause attenuation of T c . 7 In the present study, we focus on defect phases associated with Ba-O and Y-O intergrowths in heteroepitaxial YBCO123 thin films both with and without LCMO overlayers. Two novel types of planar defects are unequivocally observed, both deviating from the normal stacking sequence (CuO-BaO-CuO 2 -Y-CuO 2 -BaO) of the YBCO123 lattice. The first defect type (henceforth called type D1) consists of a BaO layer sandwiched between two CuO-chain layers. The second defect type consists of the addition of either one (type D2) or two (type D2') extra Y-O layers between the CuO 2 planes.The samples used in this study include single-layer YBCO123 and bi-layer LCMO/YBCO123 thin films.

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confidence: 99%

Atomic-scale identification of novel planar defect phases in heteroepitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films

et al. 2018

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“…[1][2][3] For complex oxides, such enhanced thermodynamics could open a new pathway for exploring their myriad of structural phases. In a previous study, 4 we demonstrated this concept for a family of superconducting cuprates Y-Ba-Cu-O, which are distinguished by the presence of quasi one-dimensional (1D) CuO chains in their lattices.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phase transformation in ultrathin Y–Ba–Cu–O films by high-pressure oxygen annealing

Zhang

Wei

2017

Int. J. Mod. Phys. B

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To examine the thermodynamic phase stability of Y-Ba-Cu-O superconductors in ultrathin film form, we study the effects of high-pressure oxygen annealing and Cu enrichment on YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ films ranging from 8 nm to 15 nm in thickness. The films are grown epitaxially on SrTiO 3 substrates by pulsed laser-ablated deposition, and postannealed in 475 atm of oxygen at 800 • C while subjected to varying concentrations of excess CuO. X-ray diffraction (XRD) on the annealed films shows evidence for suppression of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−δ and formation of Y 2 Ba 4 Cu 8 O 16 . This structural transformation towards a higher-oxidation phase is expectedly correlated with film thinness and Cu enrichment.

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“…Probing the O-K and Cu-L edges, we show that real-space measurements in these compounds provide detailed insight into the formal valence of Cu atoms as a function of oxygen content in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6+ δ [3]. We also investigated how detailed atomic-resolved maps can be used to identify suboxide phases in thin films of these materials [4]. In the chain-ladder compound Sr 3 Ca 11 Cu 24 O 41 , we highlight how EELS fine structure measurements at the O-K edge, combined with electron probe propagation calculations, provide detailed quantitative determination of the holes distribution [5].…”

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confidence: 99%

Understanding Properties of Functional Materials with Atomic-Resolved Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy

2017

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The recent improvements in electron microscopy instrumentation have lead to the adoption of electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) beyond the traditional fields of applications related to chemical analysis of materials and biological structures. EELS is increasingly attracting the attention of the solidstate physics and nano-optics communities due to the unparalleled spatial and energy resolution of this technique. This growing interest is supported by recent publications showing the realization of atomicresolved spectroscopy in complex solids and over ten years of research by several groups around the world probing surface-plasmon resonances. In this presentation, we focus on examples of applications of spatially resolved EELS for the study of energy-related materials, mainly Li-based layered compounds, and complex oxides with potential electronic applications, showing how atomic resolved measurements provide insight into the macroscopic properties of these materials.The experimental work was carried out with an FEI Titan (80-300 Cubed) microscope equipped with an electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) system (Quantum 966) and a monochromator. Samples were prepared using a combination of focused ion beam milling (Zeiss NVision 40 FIB/SEM) with low energy Ar ion final polishing (Fischione "NanoMill" system), and more conventional methods such as grinding powders into electron transparent samples. We have probed the structure of Li-based layered compounds used for energy storage applications and a variety of oxides, some superconducting compounds, either in single crystal forms or produced as ultrathin films grown by pulsed laser deposition methods. For Li-based compounds, inert atmosphere handling procedures were followed for transferring samples from a glove box system to the transmission electron microscope using a vacuum transfer holder.We have investigated a number of technologically relevant structures based on the LiNi x Mn y Co 1-x-y O 2 (known as "NMC") cathode materials, high-Li content phases (the so-called "high-energy" NMC phases), and cathode materials with coatings produced by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) method. In these systems, we have shown that the valence of transition metal ions, and the charge compensation mechanisms, can be effectively probed in pristine materials and cathodes that have been electrochemically cycled [1]. We demonstrate that the valence can be mapped effectively using a combination of spectra from reference compounds and statistical methods implemented to extract "phase" information with much reduced noise level in the spectra. From a practical point of view, we also show that this approach can be used to understand the evolution and degradation of these electrode materials under different electrochemical cycling conditions [2]. In the high-energy NMC compounds, we highlight how atomic-resolved mapping can be used to detect the presence of few atomic layers surface segregation of the transition metal atoms and changes in the local electronic structure of this material ...

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Attenuation of superconductivity in manganite/cuprate heterostructures by epitaxially-induced CuO intergrowths

Cited by 25 publications

References 42 publications

Atomic-scale identification of novel planar defect phases in heteroepitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films

Atomic-scale identification of novel planar defect phases in heteroepitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films

Phase transformation in ultrathin Y–Ba–Cu–O films by high-pressure oxygen annealing

Understanding Properties of Functional Materials with Atomic-Resolved Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy

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