Discovery of a periodic array of quasi-one-dimensional electron tunnel in an oxide

01/08/2013

A new avenue to realize quantum confinement and associated unprecedented properties in single-phase compounds

Abstract

A research groups led by Prof. Yuichi Ikuhara at the WPI-AIMR, Tohoku University and the University of Tokyo, have observed an unexpected periodic array of spin-polarized quasi-one-dimensional electron tunnels in a single-compound LaTiO3.4, by combining the aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy equipped with atom-resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy with the theoretical calculations. This observation provides the first definitive structural and elemental evidence of oxygen off-stoichiometry induced delicate lattice distortions in a single-phase bulk oxide at atomic resolution, which trigger an unexpected strongly anisotropic and fully spin-polarized quantum confined electron gas in the bulk interiors. Such finding differs from what one can expect from the hotly studied two-dimensional electron gas at the oxide heterointerfaces.

The research result has been published online in Advanced Materials on Jan. 11, 2013. The paper is entitled “Spontaneous Structural Distortion and Quasi-One-Dimensional Quantum Confinement in a Single-Phase Compound”.

Contact

[For research]

Yuichi Ikuhara, Professor
WPI Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University
(& Institute of Engineering Innovation, The University of Tokyo)

Address: 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan.
TEL : +81-22-217-5933
FAX : +81-22-217-5930
E-MAIL : ikuhara@sigma.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Susumu Tsukimoto, Lecturer
Zhongchang Wang, Assistant Professor
WPI Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University

Address: 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan.
TEL : +81-22-217-5933
FAX : +81-22-217-5930
E-MAIL : zcwang@wpi-aimr.tohoku.ac.jp

[For Media]

Yasufumi Nakamichi, Assistant Professor

Public Relations & Outreach Office
WPI Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University

Address : 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan.
TEL : +81-22-217-6146
E-MAIL : outreach@wpi-aimr.tohoku.ac.jp