Emergent Spin Glass Behavior Created by Self-Assembled Antiferromagnetic NiO Columns in Ferrimagnetic NiFeO.

Spin glass (SG) is a magnetic state with spin structure incommensurate with lattice and charge. Fundamental understanding of its behavior has a profound impact on many technological problems. Here, we present a novel case of interface-induced spin glass behavior via self-assembly of single-crystalline NiO microcolumns in a single-crystalline NiFeO matrix.

Interface-induced magnetic polar metal phase in complex oxides.

Polar metals are commonly defined as metals with polar structural distortions. Strict symmetry restrictions make them an extremely rare breed as the structural constraints favor insulating over metallic phase. Moreover, no polar metals are known to be magnetic.

Designing antiphase boundaries by atomic control of heterointerfaces.

Extended defects are known to have critical influences in achieving desired material performance. However, the nature of extended defect generation is highly elusive due to the presence of multiple nucleation mechanisms with close energetics. A strategy to design extended defects in a simple and clean way is thus highly desirable to advance the understanding of their role, improve material quality, and serve as a unique playground to discover new phenomena.

Interface-induced multiferroism by design in complex oxide superlattices.

Interfaces between materials present unique opportunities for the discovery of intriguing quantum phenomena. Here, we explore the possibility that, in the case of superlattices, if one of the layers is made ultrathin, unexpected properties can be induced between the two bracketing interfaces. We pursue this objective by combining advanced growth and characterization techniques with theoretical calculations.