Surface polarization profile of ferroelectric thin films probed by X-ray standing waves and photoelectron spectroscopy

Understanding the mechanisms underlying a stable polarization at the surface of ferroelectric thin films is of particular importance both from a fundamental point of view and to achieve control of the surface polarization itself. In this study, we demonstrate that the X-ray standing wave technique a...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Hoang, Le Phuong, Spasojevic, Irena|||0000-0002-6426-7009, Lee, Tien-Lin, Pesquera, David|||0000-0003-0681-3371, Rossnagel, Kai, Zegenhagen, Jörg, Catalan, Gustau|||0000-0003-0214-4828, Vartanyants, Ivan A., Scherz, Andreas, Mercurio, Giuseppe
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:307776
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/307776
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1038/s41598-024-72805-1
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Ferroelectric polarization
X-ray standing wave
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Ferroelectrics and multiferroics
Surfaces, interfaces and thin films
Characterization and analytical techniques
Descripción
Sumario:Understanding the mechanisms underlying a stable polarization at the surface of ferroelectric thin films is of particular importance both from a fundamental point of view and to achieve control of the surface polarization itself. In this study, we demonstrate that the X-ray standing wave technique allows the surface polarization profile of a ferroelectric thin film, as opposed to the average film polarity, to be probed directly. The X-ray standing wave technique provides the average Ti and Ba atomic positions, along the out-of-plane direction, near the surface of three differently strained thin films. This technique gives direct access to the local ferroelectric polarization at and below the surface. By employing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, a detailed overview of the oxygen-containing species adsorbed on the surface is obtained. The different amplitude and orientation of the local ferroelectric polarizations are associated with surface charges attributed to different type, amount and spatial distribution of the oxygen-containing adsorbates.