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Insulating FerromagneticLaCoO3−δFilms: A Phase Induced by Ordering of Oxygen Vacancies
- Source :
- Physical Review Letters. 112
- Publication Year :
- 2014
- Publisher :
- American Physical Society (APS), 2014.
-
Abstract
- The origin of ferromagnetism in strained epitaxial ${\mathrm{LaCoO}}_{3}$ films has been a long-standing mystery. Here, we combine atomically resolved $Z$-contrast imaging, electron-energy-loss spectroscopy, and density-functional calculations to demonstrate that, in epitaxial ${\mathrm{LaCoO}}_{3}$ films, oxygen-vacancy superstructures release strain, control the film's electronic properties, and produce the observed ferromagnetism via the excess electrons in the Co $d$ states. Although oxygen vacancies typically dope a material $n$-type, we find that ordered vacancies induce Peierls-like minigaps which, combined with strain relaxation, trigger a nonlinear rupture of the energy bands, resulting in insulating behavior.
- Subjects :
- Materials science
Condensed matter physics
Electron energy loss spectroscopy
Relaxation (NMR)
General Physics and Astronomy
Electron
Epitaxy
Condensed Matter::Materials Science
Ferromagnetism
Condensed Matter::Superconductivity
Phase (matter)
Scanning transmission electron microscopy
Condensed Matter::Strongly Correlated Electrons
Spectroscopy
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 10797114 and 00319007
- Volume :
- 112
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Physical Review Letters
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........70f508f80b3122223c590d1bf32c2ef8