Fig. 4: Structural softness in the compositional phase transition point in BCFO films.
From: Critical ionic transport across an oxygen-vacancy ordering transition
a Force versus distance curve of BCFO at xCa = 0.45, obtained by characterizing the elastic property using an AFM technique. (Inset) The measured force (F) was evaluated by cantilever bending against surface depth deformation (δd). Zero cantilever deflection, i.e., F = 0, corresponds to the situation where the attractive adhesive force (Fadh ≤ 0) between the sample and tip is fully compensated by the tip pressing force. So, the real tip-driven force on the sample surface is F−Fadh. Magenta and cyan indicate approach and retreat modes. b Tip-driven force (F−Fadh) versus δd curves for selected xCa. The DMT model was used to interpret these experimental data, creating green fit lines. c Statistics of the values of Young’s modulus obtained by repeating the force-distance measurement at many different places on the surface. The lines represent Gaussian fittings of the observed distributions. d The measured Young’s modulus versus xCa. The error bar is defined as the standard deviation of distributions.
