Browsing by Author "Valanoor, Nagarajan"

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Epitaxial Magnetic Oxide Nanocrystals Via Phase Decomposition of Bismuth Perovskite Precursors
(2012-12-19)
Bogle, Kashinath A.
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Cheung, Jeffrey
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Chen, Yong-Lun
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Liao, Sheng-Chieh
;
Lai, Chih-Hung
The phase instability of bismuth perovskite (BiMO3), where M is a ferromagnetic cation, is exploited to create self-assembled magnetic oxide nanocrystal arrays on oxide supports. Conditions during pulsed laser deposition are tuned so as to induce complete breakdown of the perovskite precursor into bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) and metal oxide (M-Ox) pockets. Subsequent cooling in vacuum volatizes the Bi2O3 leaving behind an array of monodisperse nanocrystals. In situ reflective high energy electron diffraction beam is exploited to monitor the synthesis in real-time. Analysis of the patterns confirms the phase separation and volatization process. Successful synthesis of M-Ox, where M = Mn, Fe, Co, and Cr, is shown using this template-free facile approach. Detailed magnetic characterization of nanocrystals is carried out to reveal the functionalities such as magnetic anisotropy as well as larger than bulk moments, as expected in these oxide nanostructures.
Interface control of surface photochemical reactivity in ultrathin epitaxial ferroelectric films
(2013-05-06)
Chen, Jason
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Lu, Haidong
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Liu, Heng-Jui
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Chu, Ying-Hao
;
Dunn, Steve
Asymmetrical electrical boundary conditions in (001)-oriented Pb(Zr0.2TiO0.8)O-3 (PZT) epitaxial ultrathin ferroelectric films are exploited to control surface photochemical reactivity determined by the sign of the surface polarization charge. It is shown that the preferential orientation of polarization in the as-grown PZT layer can be manipulated by choosing an appropriate type of bottom electrode material. PZT films deposited on the SrRuO3 electrodes exhibit preferential upward polarization (C+) whilst the same films grown on the (La, Sr)CoO3-electrodes are polarized downward (C-). Photochemical activity of the PZT surfaces with different surface polarization charges has been tested by studying deposition of silver nanoparticles from AgNO3 solution under UV irradiation. PZT surfaces with preferential C+ orientation possess a more active surface for metal reduction than their C- counterparts, evidenced by large differences in the concentration of deposited silver nanoparticles. This effect is attributed to band bending at the bottom interface which varies depending on the difference in work functions of PZT and electrode materials. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.
Magnetic and Magnetodielectric Properties of Epitaxial Iron Vanadate Thin Films
(2017-01)
Zhou, Dongyi
;
Takahashi, Ryota
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Zhou, Yanyu
;
Kim, Dohyung
;
Suresh, Vandrangi Kumar
The magnetic and magnetodielectric behavior of epitaxial (001) transition metal oxide spinel iron vanadate (Fe1+xV2-xO4, FVO) thin films grown on (001) SrTiO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition is reported. X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies confirm the trivalent and nominally divalent nature of V and Fe ions, respectively, while an excess of Fe3+ ions is also found. Aberration-corrected cross-sectional scanning transmission electron microscopy analysis suggests that the excess Fe3+ may be accommodated through Fe3O4 stacking faults along the {111} planes. Temperature-dependent X-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectra reveal an anti-parallel alignment of spins between the Fe2+ and V3+ cations. M-H loops acquired at 10 K, well below the noncollinear ferromagnetic phase transition temperature, show magnetic anisotropy and point to the existence of two distinct phases with different coercive fields. Visual evidence for magnetic domains and their switching is given by magnetic force microscopy, which finds a switching field of approximate to 3 T in agreement with the M-H loops. Magnetodielectric measurements for a Pd/FVO/Nb:STO heterostructure reveal a weak hysteresis in the magneto-capacitance loops at 10 K, thus confirming magneto-dielectric coupling. Detailed temperature and frequency-dependent dielectric studies find that Maxwell-Wagner-type relaxation dominates capacitance behavior above approximate to 40 K due to a FVO/Nb:SrTiO3 Schottky interface.
Magnetic and Magnetodielectric Properties of Epitaxial Iron Vanadate Thin Films
(2017-01)
Zhou, Dongyi
;
Takahashi, Ryota
;
Zhou, Yanyu
;
Kim, Dohyung
;
Suresh, Vandrangi Kumar
The magnetic and magnetodielectric behavior of epitaxial (001) transition metal oxide spinel iron vanadate (Fe1+xV2-xO4, FVO) thin films grown on (001) SrTiO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition is reported. X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies confirm the trivalent and nominally divalent nature of V and Fe ions, respectively, while an excess of Fe3+ ions is also found. Aberration-corrected cross-sectional scanning transmission electron microscopy analysis suggests that the excess Fe3+ may be accommodated through Fe3O4 stacking faults along the {111} planes. Temperature-dependent X-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectra reveal an anti-parallel alignment of spins between the Fe2+ and V3+ cations. M-H loops acquired at 10 K, well below the noncollinear ferromagnetic phase transition temperature, show magnetic anisotropy and point to the existence of two distinct phases with different coercive fields. Visual evidence for magnetic domains and their switching is given by magnetic force microscopy, which finds a switching field of approximate to 3 T in agreement with the M-H loops. Magnetodielectric measurements for a Pd/FVO/Nb:STO heterostructure reveal a weak hysteresis in the magneto-capacitance loops at 10 K, thus confirming magneto-dielectric coupling. Detailed temperature and frequency-dependent dielectric studies find that Maxwell-Wagner-type relaxation dominates capacitance behavior above approximate to 40 K due to a FVO/Nb:SrTiO3 Schottky interface.
Nondestructive Mapping of Long-Range Dislocation Strain Fields in an Epitaxial Complex Metal Oxide
(2019-03-01)
Simons, Hugh
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Jakobsen, Anders Clemen
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Ahl, Sonja Rosenlund
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Poulsen, Henning Friis
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Pantleon, Wolfgang
The misfit dislocations formed at heteroepitaxial interfaces create long-ranging strain fields in addition to the epitaxial strain. For systems with strong lattice coupling, such as ferroic oxides, this results in unpredictable and potentially debilitating functionality and device performance. In this work, we use dark-field X-ray microscopy to map the lattice distortions around misfit dislocations in an epitaxial film of bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3), a well-known multiferroic. We demonstrate the ability to precisely quantify weak, long-ranging strain fields and their associated symmetry lowering without modifying the mechanical state of the film. We isolate the screw and edge components of the individual dislocations and show how they result in weak charge heterogeneities via flexoelectric coupling. We show that even systems with small lattice mismatches and additional mechanisms of stress relief (such as mechanical twinning) may still give rise to measurable charge and strain heterogeneities that extend over mesoscopic length scales. This sets more stringent physical limitations on device size, dislocation density, and the achievable degree of lattice mismatch in epitaxial systems.
Phase evolution of magnetite nanocrystals on oxide supports via template-free bismuth ferrite precursor approach
(2012-11-15)
Cheung, Jeffrey
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Bogle, Kashinath
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Cheng, Xuan
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Sullaphen, Jivika
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Kuo, Chang-Yang
This report investigates the phase evolution pathway of magnetite nanocrystal synthesis on oxide-supported substrates. A template-free phase separation approach, which exploits the thermodynamic instability of ternary perovskite BiFeO3 and inherent volatility of bismuth oxide in low oxygen pressure and high temperature is presented. The formation of an intermediate hematite nanocrystal phase is found as a key step that controls the eventual size and morphology of the magnetite nanocrystals. X-ray absorption spectra measurements and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism confirm that the spectral fingerprints of the magnetite nanocrystals match with that of bulk crystals. Magnetic measurements show that magnetic anisotropy is directly attributed to the nanocrystal morphology. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4766748]