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Sara Bals

Publications and source records attributed to Sara Bals.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Electronically coupled complementary interfaces between perovskite band insulators.

Perovskite oxides exhibit a plethora of exceptional properties, providing the basis for novel concepts of oxide-electronic devices. The interest in these materials is even extended by the remarkable characteristics of their interfaces. Studies on single epitaxial connections between the wide-bandgap insulators LaAlO3 and SrTiO3 have revealed them to be either high-mobility electron conductors or insulating, depending on the atomic stacking sequences. For device applications, as well as for a basic understanding of the interface conduction mechanism, it is important to investigate the electronic coupling of closely spaced complementary interfaces. Here we report the successful realization of such coupled interfaces in SrTiO3-LaAlO3 thin-film multilayer structures. We found a critical separation distance of six perovskite unit cell layers, corresponding to approximately 23 A, below which a decrease of the interface conductivity and carrier density occurs. Interestingly, the high carrier mobilities characterizing the separate conducting interfaces are found to be maintained in coupled structures down to subnanometre interface spacing.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Statistical estimation of atomic positions from exit wave reconstruction with a precision in the picometer range.

The local structure of Bi4W2/3Mn1/3O8Cl is determined using quantitative transmission electron microscopy. The electron exit wave, which is closely related to the projected crystal potential, is reconstructed and used as a starting point for statistical parameter estimation. This method allows us to refine all atomic positions on a local scale, including those of the light atoms, with a precision in the picometer range. Using this method one is no longer restricted to the information limit of the electron microscope. Our results are in good agreement with x-ray powder diffraction data demonstrating the reliability of the method. Moreover, it will be shown that local effects can be interpreted using this approach.

Journal Article↗