Real Space Visualization of Competing Phases in La0.6Sr2.4Mn2O7 Single Crystals

Qiang Zheng, Nathaniel J. Schreiber, Hong Zheng, Jiaqiang Yan, Michael A. McGuire, J. F. Mitchell, Miaofang Chi, Brian C. Sales

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Correlated quantum materials are expected to provide the foundation for the next generation of information or energy technologies. A key feature of these materials is the proximity of multiple ground states close in energy, which results in the ability to tune properties with small changes in an external parameter such as magnetic field, composition, or temperature. For example, the colossal magnetoresistance exhibited by manganites is related to charge and orbital ordering and results from a metallic ferromagnetic phase in proximity to a paramagnetic insulating phase. The presence of competing ground states, at the heart of the physics and functionality of these materials, often results in nanoscale phase separation. Probing nanoscale phase separation with conventional diffraction techniques alone is not adequate, particularly when the domains are small or nanosized. In the present work we use a scanning transmission electron microscopy image-based technique of picometer precision strain maps (PPSM) to directly visualize the competing nanoscale phases with charge and orbital ordering in a double-layer manganite. This work underscores the role of subtle structural distortions in determining the electron physics in correlated quantum materials and provides insights into designing new functionalities via spatially tuning multiple competing ground states.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7962-7969
Number of pages8
JournalChemistry of Materials
Volume30
Issue number21
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 13 2018

Funding

Work in the Materials Science and Technology Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (magnetic, transport, thermodynamic, and microscopy characterization) and in the Materials Science Division of Argonne National Laboratory (single crystal growth and magnetic characterization) was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences (BES), Materials Sciences and Engineering Division. The microscopy in this work was conducted at the ORNL’s Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS), which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility. This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC under Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the U.S. Department of Energy. Work in the Materials Science and Technology Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (magnetic, transport, thermodynamic, and microscopy characterization) and in the Materials Science Division of Argonne National Laboratory (single crystal growth and magnetic characterization) was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences (BES), Materials Sciences and Engineering Division. The microscopy in this work was conducted at the ORNL's Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS) which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility.This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC under Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the U.S. Department of Energy.

FundersFunder number
Materials Science Division of Argonne National Laboratory
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Science
Basic Energy Sciences
Argonne National Laboratory
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering

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