Thin films of Sr ₂ FeMoO ₆ grown by pulsed laser deposition: preparation and characterization

Abstract

Abstract We report the first in situ XPS analysis of thin epitaxial films of the ferromagnetic double perovskite Sr 2 FeMoO 6 , which have been prepared by pulsed laser deposition on (100) SrTiO 3 substrates under different oxygen pressures. The films consist mainly of the c ‐axis‐oriented SFMO phase over a wide range of oxygen pressure (10 −8 –10 −4 mbar) as determined by ex situ x‐ray diffraction measurements. However, different secondary phases are observed, depending on the preparation conditions. When obtained in ultrahigh vacuum conditions (10 −8 mbar) the films show the presence of metallic Fe, whereas when prepared under pure oxygen gas flow (pressures above 10 −6 mbar ) the Fe 3 O 4 phase is observed. The in situ XPS analysis suggests the formation of the SrFeO 3 phase in addition to SFMO, whereas the SrMoO 4 phase is formed at oxygen pressures above 10 −4 mbar. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.