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Early stages of YBa sub 2 Cu sub 3 O sub 7 minus. delta. epitaxial growth on MgO and SrTiO sub 3

Journal Article · · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States)
 [1];  [2];  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 (United States)
  2. Solid State Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6123 (United States)
  3. Health and Safety Research Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6123 (United States)

The initial stages of epitaxial growth of {ital c}-axis-perpendicular laser-ablated YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7{minus}{delta}} (YBCO) thin films on SrTiO{sub 3} and MgO substrates were studied by scanning tunneling microscopy. Surface images of films grown on SrTiO{sub 3} with a sequential thickness variation reveal a transition from layerlike to island growth between 8 and 16 unit cells thickness, i.e., YBCO grows on SrTiO{sub 3} by a Stranski-Krastanov mechanism. Evidence also points to the existence of a slightly larger critical thickness for the introduction of screw dislocations into those films. In contrast, even the thinnest ({similar to}8 cells thick) YBCO films were found to grow on MgO by an island mechanism, with screw-growth features clearly present.

DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
7293151
Journal Information:
Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States) Vol. 45:13; ISSN PRBMD; ISSN 0163-1829
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English