Growth of SrVO3 thin films by hybrid molecular beam epitaxy

Craig Eaton, Jarrett A. Moyer, Hamideh M. Alipour, Everett D. Grimley, Matthew Brahlek, James M. Lebeau, Roman Engel-Herbert

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

The authors report the growth of stoichiometric SrVO3 thin films on (LaAlO3)0.3(Sr2AlTaO6)0.7 (001) substrates using hybrid molecular beam epitaxy. This growth approach employs a conventional effusion cell to supply elemental A-site Sr and the metalorganic precursor vanadium oxytriisopropoxide (VTIP) to supply vanadium. Oxygen is supplied in its molecular form through a gas inlet. An optimal VTIP:Sr flux ratio has been identified using reflection high-energy electron-diffraction, x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy, demonstrating stoichiometric SrVO3 films with atomically flat surface morphology. Away from the optimal VTIP:Sr flux, characteristic changes in the crystalline structure and surface morphology of the films were found, enabling identification of the type of nonstoichiometry. For optimal VTIP:Sr flux ratios, high quality SrVO3 thin films were obtained with smallest deviation of the lattice parameter from the ideal value and with atomically smooth surfaces, indicative of the good cation stoichiometry achieved by this growth technique.

Original languageEnglish
Article number061504
JournalJournal of Vacuum Science and Technology, Part A: Vacuum, Surfaces and Films
Volume33
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Science FoundationDGE-1252376, DMR-1420620
Office of Naval ResearchN00014-11-1-06655
Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences1420620

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