Ferroelectric control of the electronic properties of ultra-thin metallic films

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Friedrich Reinert
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2012 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 210137963

The goal of this project is to control in situ the physical properties of thin films using the local electric field of a ferroelectric substrate with the aim to observe directly the response of the system by photoemission spectroscopy techniques. Our purpose is based on two strategies. We will focus on model systems like Pt/BaTiO3, Fe/BaTiO3 and Bi/BaTiO3 heterosystems that are representatives of strong interface coupling. Particularly the Bi/BaTiO3 interface is interesting to achieve a ferroelectric control of Rashba splitting strength of the Bi surface states. Owing to BaTiO3 lattice parameter change with the structural phase transitions, we will modify the properties of the film systems deposited on the substrate. In fact, the properties of these systems are highly connected to atomic distances and orientation that we could modify with the substrate properties. These two approaches offer the opportunity to control and measure in situ the electronic properties by photoemission spectroscopy either by using a spontaneous electric polarization, similar to applying a local electric field, or by applying a tunable strain, similar to using a diamond anvil cell on our systems.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Dr. Olivier Copie