Sub-unit cell engineering of CrVO$_3$ superlattice thin films

Claudio Bellani; Simon Mellaerts; Wei-Fan Hsu; Koen Schouteden; Alberto Binetti; Arno Annys; Zezhong Zhang; Nicolas Gauquelin; Johan Verbeeck; Jesús López-Sánchez; Adolfo del Campo; Soon-Gil Jung; Tuson Park; Michel Houssa; Jean-Pierre Locquet; Jin Won Seo

doi:10.1038/s43246-025-01069-7

paper

Sub-unit cell engineering of CrVO $_{3}$ superlattice thin films

arXiv:2510.17606 · doi:10.1038/s43246-025-01069-7

Abstract

Ordered corundum oxides introduce new prospects in the field of functional oxides thin films, complementing the more widely studied class of ABO $_{3}$ perovskites. In this work, we take advantage of the layer-by-layer growth regime to fabricate epitaxial CrVO $_{3}$ superlattice thin films with atomic-scale accuracy on the periodic arrangement of Cr and V layers. By means of X-ray diffraction, scanning transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, we confirm the thickness control in the sub-unit cell scale, alternating 3, 2 or 1 single atomic layers of Cr $_{2}$ O $_{3}$ and V $_{2}$ O $_{3}$ . For the first time, we stabilize the ilmenite phase of CrVO $_{3}$ (space group R-3) and compare the functional properties of the thin film with those calculated by density functional theory. This novel approach to the growth of ordered corundum oxides opens the path towards the stabilization of new complex oxides with tailored properties by varying the composition and the superlattice period, ultimately broadening the family of functional rhombohedral oxides.

This manuscript is currently under review at Communications Materials

Sub-unit cell engineering of CrVO3​ superlattice thin films

Abstract

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Sub-unit cell engineering of CrVO $_{3}$ superlattice thin films