Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Microstructures and electrical properties of SrRuO{sub 3} thin films on LaAlO{sub 3} substrates

Journal Article · · Journal of Electronic Materials
; ; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)

Conductive SrRuO{sub 3} thin films have been deposited using pulsed laser deposition on LaAlO{sub 3} substrates at different substrate temperatures. Structural and microstructural properties of the SrRuO{sub 3}/LaAlO{sub 3} system have been studied using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and scanning tunneling microscopy. Electrical properties of SrRuO{sub 3} thin films have been measured. It was found that the film deposited at 250{degree}C is amorphous, showing semiconductor-like temperature dependence of electrical conductivity. The film deposited at 425{degree}C is crystalline with very fine grain size (100-200 A), showing both metallic and semiconductor-like temperature dependence of electrical conductivity in different temperature regions. The film deposited at 775{degree}C shows a resistivity of 280 {mu}{Omega}.cm at room temperature and a residual resistivity ratio of 8.4. Optimized deposition conditions to grow SrRuO{sub 3} thin films on LaAlO{sub 3} substrates have been found. Possible engineering applications of SrRuO{sub 3} thin films deposited at different temperatures are discussed. Bulk and surface electronic structures of SrRuO{sub 3} are calculated using a semi-empirical valence electron linear combination of atomic orbitals approach. The theoretical calculation results are employed to understand the electrical properties of SrRuO{sub 3} thin films. 13 refs., 8 figs.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
420696
Report Number(s):
CONF-960202--
Journal Information:
Journal of Electronic Materials, Journal Name: Journal of Electronic Materials Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 25; ISSN JECMA5; ISSN 0361-5235
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English