Oxygen Exchange at the Interface between Different Oxides

The dependence of the conduction properties of complex oxides thin films on the oxygen stoichiometry is well established. Usually, the oxygen concentration can be changed by post-deposition, ex-situ annealing treatments performed in different oxygen reactive atmospheres. Here, the goal of our current research is to explore the possibility of modifying the oxygen content at the interface of two oxides as a result of the different oxygen affinity of the two materials. In perspective, this could provide the possibility of adjusting the conduction properties and engineer novel functional interfaces. In collaboration with the Maier department, preliminary investigations were performed using bilayers of cuprate superconductors and fluorite oxides. The measurement of the superconducting transition temperature allows us to quantify the possible oxygen exchange at the interface.