Substrate-mediated control of the microstructure of YBa 2Cu 3O 7−δ thin films

Abstract

We have studied the surface of vicinal SrTiO 3(001) substrates and thereon deposited YBa 2Cu 3O 7−δ (YBCO) thin films by UHV-scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). We discuss the influence of the uniformity of substrate terraces on film growth. STM images indicate, that a combination of island and step-flow growth occurs on 1.2° miscut SrTiO 3. In particular, a regular nanoscale step structure of a 10° miscut SrTiO 3 surface generates an almost periodic surface structure of the YBCO films. Our findings indicate that a substrate-mediated control of the surface structure of YBCO films can be achieved.