Fabrication of High-Temperature Quasi-Two-Dimensional Superconductors at the Interface of a Ferroelectric Ba_{0.8}Sr_{0.2}TiO_{3} Film and an Insulating Parent Compound of La_{2}CuO_{4}.

We report the first observation of superconductivity in a heterostructure consisting of an insulating ferroelectric film (Ba_{0.8}Sr_{0.2}TiO_{3}) grown on an insulating parent compound of La_{2}CuO_{4} with [001] orientation. The heterostructure was prepared by magnetron sputtering on a nonatomically flat surface with inhomogeneities of the order of 1-2 nm. The measured superconducting transition temperature T_{c} is about 30 K. We have shown that superconductivity is confined near the interface region. Application of a weak magnetic field perpendicular to the interface leads to the appearance of the finite resistance. That confirms the quasi-two-dimensional nature of the superconductive state. The proposed concept promises ferroelectrically controlled interface superconductivity which offers the possibility of novel design of electronic devices.

THz Electric Field-Induced Second Harmonic Generation in Inorganic Ferroelectric.

Second Harmonic Generation induced by the electric field of a strong nearly single-cycle terahertz pulse with the peak amplitude of 300 kV/cm is studied in a classical inorganic ferroelectric thin film of (Ba0.8Sr0.2)TiO3. The dependences of the SHG intensity on the polarization of the incoming light is revealed and interpreted in terms of electric polarization induced in the plane of the film. As the THz pulse pumps the medium in the range of phononic excitations, the induced polarization is explained as a dynamical change of the ferrolectric order parameter. It is estimated that under action of the THz pulse the ferroelectric order parameter acquires an in-plane component up to 6% of the net polarization.