Microscopic nature of the metal to insulator phase transition induced through electroreduction in single-crystal KNbO3

Electroreduction of the crystalline perovskite KNbO3 results in a change of the electrical resistivity by about 12–14 orders of magnitude from insulating to semimetallic at room temperature. This change is completely reversible through oxidation of the material. The semimetallic phase is characteriz...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied physics letters 1992-03, Vol.60 (10), p.1190-1192
Main Authors: SZOT, K, SPEIER, W, EBERHARDT, W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties
Electronic transport in condensed matter
Exact sciences and technology
Mixed conductivity and conductivity transitions
Physics
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Summary:Electroreduction of the crystalline perovskite KNbO3 results in a change of the electrical resistivity by about 12–14 orders of magnitude from insulating to semimetallic at room temperature. This change is completely reversible through oxidation of the material. The semimetallic phase is characterized by a three-dimensional network of planar defects extending throughout the crystal. We have characterized the microscopic nature of this semimetallic phase by photoelectron spectroscopy after preparing the surface of the crystal to the same state. We also present evidence that at temperatures below 100 K these electroreduced materials may even become superconducting.
ISSN:0003-6951
1077-3118
DOI:10.1063/1.107401