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Persistent optically induced magnetism in oxygen-deficient strontium titanate
W D Rice1, P Ambwani2, M Bombeck3
1National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
Nature Materials
|March 25, 2014
Summary
Researchers discovered optically induced, persistent magnetization in strontium titanate (SrTiO3) crystals with oxygen vacancies. This light-tunable magnetism appears at low temperatures, offering new insights into complex oxide materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Solid State Chemistry
Background:
- Strontium titanate (SrTiO3) is a key material in complex oxide electronics.
- Recent discoveries of superconductivity and magnetism at SrTiO3 interfaces have renewed research interest.
- Understanding bulk SrTiO3 properties is crucial for advancing oxide electronics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate optically induced and persistent magnetization in oxygen-deficient SrTiO3.
- To explore the relationship between light, lattice defects, and magnetism in SrTiO3.
- To characterize the conditions and tunability of this novel magnetic phenomenon.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy.
- SQUID magnetometry.
- Utilizing sub-bandgap light (400-500 nm) on oxygen-deficient SrTiO3-δ crystals.
Main Results:
- Observation of zero-field magnetization below ~18 K in SrTiO3-δ crystals.
- Magnetization persists for hours below 10 K.
- Magnetization is tunable by light polarization and wavelength, dependent on oxygen vacancies.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated a new aspect of magnetism in SrTiO3: optically induced and persistent.
- Highlighted the critical role of oxygen vacancies in mediating light-induced magnetism.
- Revealed a complex interplay between magnetism, lattice defects, and light in SrTiO3.
