Consequences of High Adatom Energy during Pulsed Laser Deposition of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3

The impact of the adatom energy on the stoichiometry, surface morphology, and crystalline twinning during pulsed laser deposition of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 is studied. We show that although nonthermal growth using highly energetic adatoms results in very smooth ultrathin films, it also causes preferential r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Crystal growth & design 2012-02, Vol.12 (2), p.562-566
Main Authors: Boschker, Jos E, Folven, Erik, Monsen, Åsmund F, Wahlström, Erik, Grepstad, Jostein K, Tybell, Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties
Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science
rheology
Exact sciences and technology
Laser deposition
Materials science
Methods of crystal growth
physics of crystal growth
Methods of deposition of films and coatings
film growth and epitaxy
Physics
Structure and morphology
thickness
Surfaces and interfaces
thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties)
Theory and models of crystal growth
physics of crystal growth, crystal morphology and orientation
Thin film structure and morphology
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Summary:The impact of the adatom energy on the stoichiometry, surface morphology, and crystalline twinning during pulsed laser deposition of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 is studied. We show that although nonthermal growth using highly energetic adatoms results in very smooth ultrathin films, it also causes preferential resputtering of Mn and a surface roughening transition with increasing film thickness. This can be circumvented by carefully tuning the adatom energy into thermal growth, resulting in more Mn rich samples and a delayed roughening transition. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the crystalline twinning can be controlled by controlling the adatom energy. Hence, a detailed control of the adatom energy during growth opens for better stoichiometry control as well as surface quality.
ISSN:1528-7483
1528-7505
DOI:10.1021/cg201461a