On the origin of metallic conductivity at the interface of LaAlO3/SrTiO3

To determine the origin of the quasi-two-dimensional electron gas formed at the interface between the two complex oxides of LaAlO3 (LAO) and SrTiO3 (STO), various amorphous films of LAO, La2O3, Al2O3, and La7/8Sr1/8MnO3 (LSMO), were deposited on TiO2-terminated (0 0 1) STO substrates by pulsed laser deposition at room temperature. Metallic interfaces are observed when the over-layers are amorphous LAO, La2O3, or Al2O3, while insulating interfaces are observed when the over-layer is LSMO. The interfacial conductivity of these SrTiO3-based hetero-structures shows strong dependence on both film thickness and oxygen pressure during film growth. The possible origin for the occurrence of metallic interfaces in these complex oxide hetero-structures due to redox reactions at the STO substrate surface is discussed. A thermodynamic criterion for designing either metallic or insulating interfaces between complex oxides is proposed.