The SrTiO3/BiFeO3 (001) interface: commutativity of energy band discontinuities

The interface formation between the perovskite oxides SrTiO3 and BiFeO3 was studied using in situ photoelectron spectroscopy by depositing BiFeO3 on SrTiO3 and vice versa via pulsed laser deposition. For the interfaces characterized, a type II band alignment with a valence band offset of 0.9–1.0 eV and a conduction band offset of 0.5–0.6 eV was observed. Within the margin of error the commutativity was fulfilled for the SrTiO3/BiFeO3 interface, meaning that the band alignment does not depend on the deposition sequence.