[en] Highlights: • Cobalt-indium (Co-In) multilayered films are produced by direct current electrodeposition from a single electrolyte. • A periodicity of 175 ± 25 nm has been observed from the cross-section of the films. • Each layer exhibits a columnar microstructure and well-defined compositionally different (In-rich and Co-rich) regions. • Magnetic force microscopy measurements reveal the occurrence of a cross-sectional stripe-like magnetic patterning. Micrometer-thick cobalt-indium (Co-In) films consisting of self-assembled layers parallel to the cathode plane, and with a periodicity of 175 ± 25 nm, were fabricated by electrodeposition at a constant current density. These films, which exhibit spatio-temporal patterns on the surface, grow following a layer-by-layer mode. Films cross-sections were characterized by electron microscopies and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Results indicate the spontaneous formation of nanolayers that span the whole deposit thickness. A columnar structure was revealed inside each individual nanolayer which, in turn, was composed of well-distinguished In- and Co-rich regions. Due to the dissimilar magnetic character of these regions, a periodic magnetic nanopatterning was observed in the cross-sectioned films, as shown by magnetic force microscopy studies.

[en] Different SrTiO${}_3$ thin films are investigated to unravel the nature of ultra-low conductivities recently found in SrTiO${}_3$ films prepared by pulsed laser deposition. Impedance spectroscopy reveals electronically pseudo-intrinsic conductivities for a broad range of different dopants (Fe, Al, Ni) and partly high dopant concentrations up to several percent. Using inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and reciprocal space mapping, a severe Sr deficiency is found and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy revealed Sr vacancies as predominant point defects. From synchrotron-based X-ray standing wave and X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements, a change in site occupation is deduced for Fe-doped SrTiO${}_3$ films, accompanied by a change in the dopant type. Based on these experiments, a model is deduced, which explains the almost ubiquitous pseudo-intrinsic conductivity of these films. Sr deficiency is suggested as key driver by introducing Sr vacancies and causing site changes (Fe${}_{Sr}$ and Ti${}_{Sr}$) to accommodate nonstoichiometry. Sr vacancies act as mid-gap acceptor states, pinning the Fermi level, provided that additional donor states (most probably Ti${}_{Sr}^{\bullet <!--\; ???\; -->\bullet <!--\; ???\; -->}$) are present. Defect chemical modeling revealed that such a Fermi level pinning also causes a self-limitation of the Ti site change and leads to a very robust pseudo-intrinsic situation, irrespective of Sr/Ti ratios and doping. (© 2022 The Authors. Advanced Functional Materials published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH)