Surface reconstruction of hexagonal Y-doped HoMnO3 and LuMnO3 studied using low-energy electron diffraction

We have investigated the (0001) surfaces of several hexagonal manganite perovskites by low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) in order to determine if the surface periodicity is different from that of the bulk materials. These LEED studies were conducted using near-normal incidence geometry with a low energy electron microscope (LEEM)/LEED apparatus from room temperature to 1200 °C and with an electron energy in the range of 15–50 eV. Diffraction patterns showed features of bulk-terminated periodicity as well as a 2×2 surface reconstruction. Possible origins for this surface reconstruction structure are discussed and comparisons are made with surface studies of other complex oxides.