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Oxide Films
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Bulk Oxides

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, TiOx
  • 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
This page last updated on June 12, 2003