LSU Surface Science Group

	Surface Science Group Department of Physics and Astronomy

nanowires	magnetic films	surface alloys	dft and photoemission	pnictides	oxides and nanoclusters

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Our prior work at Yale and NIST includes studies of a number of bulk oxides including:

transition metal sesquioxides Ti₂O₃, V₂O₃ and Fe₂O₃
rocksalt MgO, TiO_x
rutile TiO₂
HTSC cuprates including YBa₂Cu₃O₇ and BISCCO
ferroelectric BaTiO₃

This work consists mostly of photoemission studies of the oxide electronic structure as well as investigations into the adsorption of simple molecules such as O₂, H₂O, CO, CO₂, H₂ etc. In the case of TiO₂, we also conducted extensive studies of desorption induced by electronic transitions (DIET).

For more information on these studies check out the listings in the publications link.

Half-Metallic Oxide Thin-Films

We are interested in thin-films which are useful for computer disk head sensors and MRAM. Half-metallic materials such as Fe₃O₄ have one spin type at the Fermi level and hold great promise in devices based on spin-dependent transport. In principle, a spin-dependent conductor can provide enhanced sensitivity to magnetic field. We have focused on thin-films of this oxide grown on Cu substrates, for obvious device-related reasons. Remarkably, our STM studies show that one can grow large oriented crystallites of this material.

Synthesis of epitaxial Fe₃O₄ films on Cu(001) STM study

Initial Stages of Oxidation

The initial stages of oxidation of Mg(0001) has alsi been observed with STM. The work, conducted by A. Goonewardene shows that O initially adsorbs and subsequently goes subsurface giving remarkable lumps and bumps. Raju Karunamuni is here with the STM.

Initial stages of the oxidation of Mg(0001) STM study

We are currently using photoemission at CAMD to further characterize properties of this material.

Reggie, Alexey, and Krishnan work on the STM