Structure analysis of LaAlO3(0 0 1) 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–O2 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.