Materials News: Interfacial chemistry and atomic arrangement of ZrO2 - La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 pillar-matrix structures

We studied ZrO₂ - La_2/3Sr_1/3MnO₃ pillar-matrix thin films which were found to show anomalous magnetic and electron transport properties. With the application of an aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope, interfacial chemistry, and atomic-arrangement of the system, especially of the pillar-matrix interface were revealed at atomic resolution. Minor amounts of Zr were found to occupy Mn positions within the matrix. The Zr concentration reaches a minimum near the pillar-matrix interface accompanied by oxygen vacancies. La and Mn diffusion into the pillar was revealed at atomic resolution and a concomitant change of the Mn valence state was observed.