Thin films of the double perovskite Sr 2FeMoO 6 deposited by pulsed laser deposition

Abstract

Films of the double perovskite Sr 2FeMoO 6 have been fabricated on SrTiO 3 and MgO substrates by pulsed laser deposition. X-ray diffraction shows that all films are well textured with the (2 2 0) plane parallel to the substrate surface but magnetic and transport properties depend on the deposition conditions. Some of the films deposited on MgO have a low magnetisation and nonmetallic behaviour which is related to a high proportion of antisite defects, whereas films deposited on SrTiO 3 have properties similar to those of the bulk material with a moment of 3.5 μ B per formula (at 20 K) and 5% of antisite defects. Surface morphology of the films deposited on SrTiO 3 are smoother with roughness of 2 nm. Films deposited on MgO have L-shaped holes, probably resulting from an island growth mode.