Epitaxy of PbTio3 on (100) SrTio3 and Vicinal (100) SrTio3 by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Abstract

AbstractEpitaxial PbTiO3 films have been grown on (100) SrTiO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates pure c-axis oriented PbTiO3 films with a rocking curve FWHM of 0.25° for the 002 reflection. Thicker films (˜ 2000 Å) grown on 4° miscut SrTiO3 show mixed aaxis and c-axis PbTiO3 due to twinning along {1011} planes. The [100] axis of the a-axis domains are misoriented by 3.4° - 3.8° toward <001> substrate directions with respect to the substrate normal. In contrast to growth on well-oriented (100) SrTiO3 surfaces where the four equivalent tilts of the [100] axis of the a-axis domains are equally likely, on vicinal SrTiO3 the a-axis domains are preferentially oriented (˜ 90 vol. %) in an uphill direction with respect to the miscut substrate.