Growth of SrTiO3 thin films on LaAlO3(001) substrates; the influence of growth temperature on composition, orientation, and surface morphology

SrTiO₃ films have been grown on LaAlO₃(001) single crystal substrates using rf-sputtering. The substrates were held at temperatures ranging from 100 to 850°C. For growth temperatures as low as 350°C epitaxial growth is observed. Below 350°C the films are polycrystalline and three different orientations (100), (110), and (111) can be observed using X-ray diffraction. Atomic force microscopy shows that films deposited at temperatures below 350°C and above 650°C are smooth while the surfaces of the films made at intermediate temperatures are rough and faceted. As growth temperatures decrease below 250°C, the films show decreasing amount of Sr.