Non-topographic current contrast in scanning field emission microscopy

In scanning field emission microscopy (SFEM), a tip (the source) is approached to few (or a few tens of) nanometres distance from a surface (the collector) and biased to field-emit electrons. In a previous study (Zanin et al. 2016 Proc. R. Soc. A 472 , 20160475. ( doi:10.1098/rspa.2016.0475 )), the field-emitted current was found to change by approximately 1% at a monatomic surface step (approx. 200 pm thick). Here we prepare surface domains of adjacent different materials that, in some instances, have a topographic contrast smaller than 15 pm. Nevertheless, we observe a contrast in the field-emitted current as high as 10%. This non-topographic collector material dependence is a yet unexplored degree of freedom calling for a new understanding of the quantum mechanical tunnelling barrier at the source site that takes into account the properties of the material at the collector site.

Surface-Step-Induced Magnetic Anisotropy in Epitaxial LSMO Deposited on Engineered STO Surfaces

Changes in stoichiometry, temperature, strain and other parameters dramatically alter properties of LSMO perovskite. Thus, the sensitivity of LSMO may enable control of the magnetic properties of the film. This work demonstrates the capabilities of interface engineering to achieve the desired effects. Three methods of preparing STO substrates were conducted, i.e., using acid, buffer solution, and deionized water. The occurrence of terraces and their morphology depend on the preparation treatment. Terraces propagate on deposited layers and influence LSMO properties. The measurements show that anisotropy depends on the roughness of the substrate, the method of preparing the substrate, and oxygen treatment. The collected results suggest that the dipolar mechanism may be the source of LSMO anisotropy.