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arXiv · 1005.3872

Charge writing at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 surface

Yanwu Xie·Christopher Bell·Takeaki Yajima·Yasuyuki Hikita·Harold Y. Hwang
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Abstract

Biased conducting-tip atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been shown to write and erase nanoscale metallic lines at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface. Using various AFM modes, we show the mechanism of conductivity switching is the writing of surface charge. These charges are stably deposited on a wide range of LaAlO3 thicknesses, including bulk crystals. A strong asymmetry with writing polarity was found for 1 and 2 unit cells of LaAlO3, providing experimental evidence for a theoretically predicted built-in potential.

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Yanwu Xie, Christopher Bell, Takeaki Yajima, Yasuyuki Hikita, Harold Y. Hwang. 2010-05-21. Charge writing at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 surface. https://doi.org/10.1021/nl1012695

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