Eur. Phys. J. B 35, 49-55 (2003)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2003-00255-7

Growth atomic mechanisms of pulsed laser deposited La modified-PbTiO₃ perovskites

Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain

Corresponding author: ^a e.vasco.matias@fz-juelich.de

Received: 13 February 2003
Revised: 18 June 2003
Published online: 22 September 2003

Abstract

The microstructure and morphology of 100/001-oriented La modified-PbTiO₃ (PLT) films grown by pulsed laser deposition have been analyzed and elucidated within the framework of morphology evolution models, such as the Dynamic Scaling Theory and Structure Zone Model. The experimental results were obtained from X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and cross-section scanning electron microscopy. PLT grows with a compact columnar microstructure. The columns are formed by coherently grouped grains and show oblique walls and rounded tops. Connecting the experimental results with the morphology evolution models, the growth mechanisms involved in the deposition process were identified. While inside each column, the existing Pb vacancies govern the coarsening and coalescence of the grains, a non-local effect of geometric shadowing of the incident particle flux during growth controls competition between columns and their coarsening.