Reconfigurable lateral anionic heterostructures in oxide thin films via lithographically defined topochemistry

Abstract

Laterally patterned materials can exhibit properties suited for applications ranging from photonics to magnetics to electronics. In this paper, a process is introduced to realize lateral heterostructures in oxide thin films using a combination of lithography and topochemical reactions to spatially and reversibly control the anionic composition, and subsequently physical properties, of ferrate films. This synthesis strategy is anticipated to be operable on the wide range of oxide structures and chemistries susceptible to topochemical conversions, providing new opportunities to create and manipulate lateral patterns and superstructures.