Structure analysis of LaAlO3(001) surfaces by low energy neutral scattering spectroscopy

Structure of LaAlO3(0 0 1) surface has been investigated using low energy neutral scattering spectroscopy, where a chopped neutral He beam was incident on a surface and the scattered He atoms were detected by the time-of-flight technique, thereby avoiding the charging of the insulating surface. It is found that the surface is terminated with La-O layer at temperature of 1000 K and both La-O and Al-O-2 layers exist on the surface at RT. The other substrate, deoxidized well by prolonged annealing. was terminated mainly by the La-O layer at temperature of 1000 K and RT. The relaxations at the surface and deeper layer structure were analyzed. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.