Impact of laser pulse repetition frequency on nucleation and growth of LiNbO3 thin films

Abstract

This paper reports the impact of the laser pulse repetition frequency on growth processes, morphological and electro-physical parameters of nanocrystalline LiNbO3 thin films obtained by the pulsed laser deposition technique. It was found that the nucleation process in LiNbO3 films could controllably change by increasing the laser pulse repetition frequency. The film obtained at the repetition frequency of 4 Hz consists of local islands and clusters with a diameter of 118.1 ± 5.9 nm. Nanocrystalline films, grown at the repetition frequency of 10 Hz, possess a continuous granular structure with a grain diameter of 235 ± 11.75 nm. Achieved results can be used for the development of promising “green” energy devices based on lead-free piezoelectric energy harvesters.