The effect of top LaAlO$_{3}$ surface treatment on the q-2DEGs at the LaAlO$_{3}$/ SrTiO$_{3}$ interface

We investigate the effect of various adsorbates on the ability to create and erase nanostructures at the LaAlO$_{3}$/SrTiO$_{3}$ interface. Our results show that when the top LaAlO$_{3}$ surface is made hydrophobic, the conductivity of nanostructures decays much slower than for hydrophilic treatments. This dependence provides further support that H$_{2}$O plays an important role in the writing and erasing process.