The fabrication of layer-by-layer mode LaCoO₃ film by pulsed laser deposition

The relationship between strain and growth conditions in LaCoO₃ thin film was obtained to control the magnetic-electric characteristics. The LaCoO₃ thin films on the SrTiO₃ substrates have been achieved by the pulsed laser deposition method, and the reflection high-energy electron diffraction method (RHEED) was applied to monitor the growth process in situ; the layer-by-layer growth mode was discovered. The X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy were applied to the phase analysis, and the layer thickness and the layer-by-layer growth mode were uncovered. Compared with the 100-nm LaCoO₃ thin films, the strain in the layer-by-layer ultra thin film was more controllable. The enhanced magnetic properties of the layer-by-layer mode ultra-thin films could be tested in future work.