Charge ordering modulations in Bi_0.4Ca_0.6MnO₃ film with a thickness of 110 nm

Low temperature sample stage in transmission electron microscope is used to investigate the charge ordering behaviours in Bi_0.4Ca_0.6MnO₃ film with a thickness of 110 nm at 103 K. Six different types of superlattice structures are observed using selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) technique, while three of them match well with the modulation stripes in high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images. It is found that the modulation periodicity and direction are completely different in the region close to the Bi_0.4Ca_0.6MnO₃/SrTiO₃ interface from those in the region a little far from the Bi_0.4Ca_0.6MnO₃/SrTiO₃ interface, and the possible reasons are discussed. Based on the experimental results, structural models are proposed for these localized modulated structures.