Atomic-Scale Mapping of an Emergent Interfacial Two-Dimensional Electron Gas at Anatase/LaAlO3.

Authors

Michael Oberaigner, Manuel Ederer, Sandeep K Chaluvadi, Pasquale Orgiani, Regina Ciancio, Stefan Löffler, Gerald Kothleitner, Daniel Knez

Published in

Nano letters. Volume 26. Issue 42. Pages 14507-14514. Oct 28, 2026.

Abstract

Atomic-level insight into structure, charge distribution, chemistry, and electronic states is essential for understanding emergent properties at oxide interfaces. Here, we leverage the quasi-strain-free anatase TiO2/LaAlO3 interface as an ideal model system to decouple intrinsic polar discontinuities from complex strain artifacts. By combining atomic-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy with integrated differential phase contrast, we spatially map the electronic states associated with the formation of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). This correlative approach enables the direct real-space disentanglement of intrinsic 2DEG-related states from extrinsic Ti3+ defect states. Supported by density functional theory and inelastic scattering simulations, we reveal a physical superposition: the intrinsic polar electronic reconstruction anchors metallic states directly at the boundary, while oxygen vacancies accumulate further into the film, acting as a donor reservoir. This work not only resolves long-standing ambiguities regarding oxide interfacial conductivity but also provides a robust, transferable framework for related material systems.

PMID:
42949381
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 28 Oct 2026.

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