Braiding Lateral Morphotropic Grain Boundaries in Homogenetic Oxides

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Correlated oxide interfaces are key to emergent phenomena and quantum states.
• Fabricating oxide interfaces with controlled in-plane crystallographic orientations and strain states is challenging using conventional methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel method for creating oxide interfaces with laterally varied properties.
• To engineer artificial functionalities in planar oxide matrices.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of morphotropic grain boundaries (GBs) in laterally interconnected cobaltite homostructures.
• Utilizing single-crystalline substrates and suspended ultrathin freestanding membranes for controlled epitaxy and growth orientation.
• Achieving seamless and atomically sharp GBs.

Main Results:

• Lateral modulation and isolation of electronic states and magnetic behavior by GBs.
• Creation of hybrid structures with artificially engineered functionalities.
• Demonstration of a simple and scalable fabrication method.

Conclusions:

• The developed method allows for unprecedented interface engineering in oxide materials.
• These innovative interfaces provide a platform for exploring applications in neuromorphics, solid-state batteries, and catalysis.