Synthesis of La2–xSrxCuO4 films via atomic layer-by-layer molecular beam epitaxy

Xu, Xiaotao; He, Xi; Shi, Xiaoyan; Božović, Ivan

doi:10.1063/5.0087223

Title: Synthesis of La_2–xSr_xCuO₄ films via atomic layer-by-layer molecular beam epitaxy

Journal Article · Mon Jun 06 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · APL Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0087223· OSTI ID:1873172

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Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States); Univ. of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX (United States)
Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States); Yale Univ., New Haven, CT (United States)
Univ. of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX (United States)

Atomic layer-by-layer molecular beam epitaxy (ALL-MBE) is a sophisticated technique to synthesize high-temperature superconductor (HTS) materials. ALL-MBE produces single-crystal HTS films with atomically smooth surfaces and interfaces, as well as precise multilayer heterostructures engineered down to a single atomic layer level. This enables the fabrication of tunnel junctions, nanowires, nanorings, and other HTS devices of interest. Our group has focused on ALL-MBE synthesis and materials science of La _2−x Sr _x CuO ₄ (LSCO), a representative HTS cuprate. In the past two decades, we have synthesized over three thousand LSCO thin films and characterized them by a range of analytical techniques. Here, we present in full detail a systematic process for the synthesis and engineering of atomically perfect LSCO films. The procedure includes the preparation of substrates, calibration of the elemental sources, the recipe for ALL growth of LSCO films without any secondary-phase precipitates, post-growth annealing of the films, and ex situ film characterization. This report should aid replication and dissemination of this technique of synthesizing single-crystal LSCO films for basic research as well as for HTS electronic applications.

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Research Organization:: Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division; Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation; USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0012704; GBMF9074; MA-509-MACA

OSTI ID:: 1873172

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1871240

Report Number(s):: BNL-223094-2022-JAAM; TRN: US2306982

Journal Information:: APL Materials, Vol. 10, Issue 6; ISSN 2166-532X

Publisher:: American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Synthesis of La2–xSrxCuO4 films via atomic layer-by-layer molecular beam epitaxy

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Title: Synthesis of La_2–xSr_xCuO₄ films via atomic layer-by-layer molecular beam epitaxy