Optimization of the Growth Process of Double Perovskite Pr2−δNi1−xMn1+xO6−y Epitaxial Thin Films by RF Sputtering

• Published in: Materials Vol. 15; no. 14; p. 5046
• Main Authors: Bernal-Salamanca, Mónica, Balcells, Lluis, Konstantinović, Zorica, Pomar, Alberto, Martínez, Benjamín, Frontera, Carlos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 20.07.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Curie temperature; Dielectric properties; double perovskite; Epitaxial growth; ferromagnetic insulator; Ferromagnetic materials; Magnetic properties; Magnetic saturation; Magnetron sputtering; Microscopy; Optimization; Parameters; Perovskites; Physical properties; sputtering thin film growth; Stoichiometry; Substrates; Thin films; Transport properties; United States > US
• ISSN: 1996-1944; 1996-1944
• DOI: 10.3390/ma15145046

Epitaxial thin films of Pr2−δNi1−xMn1+xO6−y (PNMO) double perovskite were grown on (001)-oriented SrTiO3 substrates by RF magnetron sputtering. The influence of the growth parameters (oxygen pressure, substrate temperature, and annealing treatments) on the structural, magnetic and transport properties, and stoichiometry of the films was thoroughly investigated. It is found that high-quality epitaxial, insulating, and ferromagnetic PNMO thin films can only be obtained in a narrow deposition parameter window. It is shown that a careful selection of the growth conditions allows for obtaining a high degree of Ni/Mn cation ordering, which is reflected in the values of the Curie temperature, TC, and saturation magnetization, MS, which are very close to those of bulk material.