Abstract
The observation of structural distortions in complex oxides is becoming more important in order to explain their macroscopic behavior. X-ray photoelectron diffraction is an excellent technique to study the crystal structure and potentially observe oxygen distortions in an element-specific fashion. Its surface-sensitive character opens up the possibility to perform experiments on ultra-thin films without probing the substrate underneath. For BaBiO3 thin films, for example recent experimental results point towards a suppression of an oxygen breathing mode with decreasing film thickness resulting in a decreased energy band gap. As another example, a nontrivial electronic band structure is predicted for [111]-bilayers of LaMnO3. However, the likely presence of a Jahn–Teller distortion would suppress the topological phase. Here, the working principle of x-ray photoelectron diffraction is described and the data analysis required afterwards is discussed. X-ray photoelectron diffraction interference patterns are obtained for various thicknesses of BaBiO3 and LaMnO3 thin films. Experimental results are compared with multiple-scattering simulations. Although, indications for the structural distortions are observed, we discuss limitations of the technique in quantifying the displacement of the oxygen atoms.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 147201 |
Journal | Journal of electron spectroscopy and related phenomena |
Volume | 257 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - May 2022 |
Keywords
- Complex oxides
- Distortions
- Oxygen displacement
- Perovskites
- X-ray photoelectron diffraction
- UT-Hybrid-D