Interface Reactions in LSMO-Metal Hybrid Structures.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Solid State Chemistry

Background:

• Perovskites are promising for multifunctional devices.
• Reliable electrical contacts are essential for perovskite functionality.
• La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) is a ferromagnetic oxide with potential applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate metal contact interactions with LSMO.
• Evaluate the impact of contacts on LSMO's magnetic, structural, and chemical properties.
• Identify strategies for preserving LSMO functionality with electrical contacts.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of LSMO thin films.
• Deposition of various metal contacts (Au, Ag, Ti, Cr).
• Characterization of LSMO properties before and after contact deposition using techniques like XRD, XPS, and SQUID magnetometry.

Main Results:

• Noble metals (Au, Ag) showed minimal impact on LSMO.
• Adhesion metals (Ti, Cr) induced significant reduction of LSMO, degrading its magnetic and structural integrity.
• Insertion of a SrRuO3 barrier layer effectively suppressed the detrimental effects of reactive metal contacts.

Conclusions:

• The choice of metal contact critically influences LSMO properties.
• Reactive adhesion metals are unsuitable for direct contact with LSMO.
• A SrRuO3 interlayer is a viable strategy to enable the use of reactive metals while preserving LSMO functionality.