Reversal of the lattice structure in SrCoOx epitaxial thin films studied by real-time optical spectroscopy and first-principles calculations

Woo Seok Choi, Hyoungjeen Jeen, Jun Hee Lee, S. S.Ambrose Seo, Valentino R. Cooper, Karin M. Rabe, Ho Nyung Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

70 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using real-time spectroscopic ellipsometry, we directly observed a reversible lattice and electronic structure evolution in SrCoOx (x=2.5-3) epitaxial thin films. Drastically different electronic ground states, which are extremely susceptible to the oxygen content x, are found in the two topotactic phases: i.e., the brownmillerite SrCoO2.5 and the perovskite SrCoO3. First-principles calculations confirmed substantial differences in the electronic structure, including a metal-insulator transition, which originate from the modification in the Co valence states and crystallographic structures. More interestingly, the two phases can be reversibly controlled by changing the ambient pressure at greatly reduced temperatures. Our finding provides an important pathway to understanding the novel oxygen-content-dependent phase transition uniquely found in multivalent transition metal oxides.

Original languageEnglish
Article number097401
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume111
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 27 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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