Giant enhancing photoresponse at LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interfaces by the nickelate buffer layer

Abstract

Manipulating the photoresponse of two-dimensional electron gas at the interface of complex oxides is attracting tremendous interest because of its potential applications in photoelectric devices. In this study, transport behaviors of LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterointerfaces tuned by a nickelate buffer layer under light irradiation have been investigated. With the increasing thickness of the buffer layer, the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interfaces exhibit the metal-to-insulator transition. More importantly, we also observe a substantial enhancement in the photoresponse under a 360 nm light irradiation and the relative change in the resistance of heterointerfaces is enhanced from 6.8% (without a buffer layer) to 50 139% (with a 1.6 u.c. buffer layer) at 300 K. Moreover, the heterointerfaces exhibit a state of change from persistent to transient photoconductivity. These emerging results are analyzed in view of the relevant mechanisms of band bending and lattice effects. This work provides experimental support for the application of perovskite oxides in interface optoelectronics.