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Skin layer of BiFeO(3) single crystals
Xavi Martí1, Pilar Ferrer, Julia Herrero-Albillos
1Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Prague, Czech Republic. xavi.mr@gmail.com
Abstract:
A surface layer ("skin") different from the bulk was found in single crystals of BiFeO(3). Impedance analysis and grazing incidence x-ray diffraction reveal a phase transition at T(*)∼275±5 °C that is confined within the surface of BiFeO(3). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and refraction-corrected x-ray diffraction as a function of incidence angle and photon wavelength indicate a reduced electron density and an elongated out-of-plane lattice parameter within a few nanometers of the surface. The skin will affect samples with large surface to volume ratios, as well as devices that rely on interfacial coupling such as exchange bias.
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