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Toggling superconductivity at the LaAlO<sub>3</sub>/SrTiO<sub>3</sub> interface via uniaxial strain

ORAL

Abstract

Oxide interfaces offer new ways to probe superconductivity in reduced spatial dimensions.  Using conductive atomic force microscope (c-AFM) lithography [1], conductive nanostructures can be reversibly created at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface, showing superconductivity at sub-Kelvin temperatures.  Here we focus on the effects of uniaxial stress on the transport of superconducting quantum wires formed at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface.  We find that superconductivity is strongly affected by uniaxial strain applied parallel to the nanowire direction and in the transverse directions.  Under certain conditions, we find that minute changes in uniaxial strain can abruptly and reversibly switch LaAlO3/SrTiO3 nanowires from a superconducting state to a normal state.  We will discuss the implications of these results on possible electron-pairing mechanisms.

[1] C. Cen, et al., Nature Materials 7, 298 (2008).

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Presenters

  • Xinyi Wu

    University of Pittsburgh

Authors

  • Xinyi Wu

    University of Pittsburgh

  • Megan K Briggeman

    University of Pittsburgh

  • Joseph A Albro

    University of Pittsburgh

  • Jianan Li

    University of Pittsburgh

  • Jungwoo Lee

    Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin Madison

  • Ki-Tae Eom

    University of Wisconsin - Madison, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA, University of Wisconsin Madison

  • Chang-Beom Eom

    University of Wisconsin - Madison, Oxide Laboratory, University of Wisconsin - Madison

  • Patrick R Irvin

    University of Pittsburgh

  • Jeremy Levy

    University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA