New route to synthesizing thin film and heterostructures of magnetic pyrochlore iridates.

This presentation introduces a new method for growing high-quality pyrochlore iridate thin films. Towards this goal, we have successfully achieved quality film growth by integrating our previously developed SPE technique [1] with a spin-ice pyrochlore buffer layer. The film's structural and electronic quality including the interface are examined using advanced techniques such as STEM imaging, HAADF/EELS elemental mapping, and a detailed HAADF/ADF comparative study. Furthermore, we assess the surface quality through x-ray reflectivity and atomic force microscopy. The enhanced growth efficiency of these pyrochlores thin films is attributed to two key factors: the lattice compatibility between the two pyrochlore structures of the iridate and titanate layers and our recently developed layer-by-layer spin-ice synthesis along the [111] direction [2]. These novel heterostructures pave the way for further in-depth inquiry into the topological electronic and magnetic properties inherent to the magnetic pyrochlore iridates.