Type:
Journal
Description:
Ultrathin manganite films are widely used as active electrodes in organic spintronic devices. In this study, a scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) investigation with atomic resolution revealed previously unknown surface features consisting of small non-stoichiometric islands. Based upon this evidence, a new mechanism for the growth of these complex materials is proposed. It is suggested that the non-stoichiometric islands result from nucleation centres that are below the critical threshold size required for stoichiometric crystalline growth. These islands represent a kinetic intermediate of single-layer growth regardless of the film thickness and should be considered and possibly controlled in manganite thin-film applications.
Publisher:
Nature Publishing Group
Publication date:
19 Jun 2014
Biblio References:
Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Pages: 1-5
Origin:
Scientific reports