Epitaxial Oxygen Getter for a Brownmillerite Phase Transformation in Manganite Films

A new method for creating oxygen vacancy ordered (brownmillerite) phases in epitaxial manganite thin films is demonstrated. The method involves depositing an oxygen- deficient complex oxide film on top of a stoichiometric manganite film. Once the getter layer exceeds a critical thickness, a phase transition to an oxygen vacancy ordered superlattice occurs in the manganite film.