In situ determination of the terminating layer of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films using coaxial impact-collision ion scattering spectroscopy

Abstract

In situ analysis of the terminating atomic plane of c-axis oriented La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films grown epitaxially on SrTiO3(100) substrate by laser molecular beam epitaxy has been carried out employing coaxial impact-collision ion scattering spectroscopy (CAICISS). The CAICISS time-of-flight spectroscopic studies reveal that the (001) surface of c-axis oriented La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films is predominantly terminated with MnO2 plane. The azimuth rotational CAICISS measurements show a fourfold symmetry in the surface atom alignments establishing the square lattice structure of the terminating plane.