title: Skin layer of BiFeO(3) single crystals.
abstract: A surface layer ("skin") different from the bulk was found in single crystals of BiFeO(3). Impedance analysis and grazing incidence x-ray diffraction reveal a phase transition at T(*)∼275±5 °C that is confined within the surface of BiFeO(3). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and refraction-corrected x-ray diffraction as a function of incidence angle and photon wavelength indicate a reduced electron density and an elongated out-of-plane lattice parameter within a few nanometers of the surface. The skin will affect samples with large surface to volume ratios, as well as devices that rely on interfacial coupling such as exchange bias.
authors.affiliation: Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Prague, Czech Republic. xavi.mr@gmail.com
authors.forename: Xavi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Martí
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Herrero-Albillos
authors.forename: Jackeline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Narvaez
authors.forename: Vaclav
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Holy
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Marin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alexe
authors.forename: Gustau
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Catalan