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Study of the structure, structural transition, interface model, and magnetic moments of CrN grown on MgO(001) by molecular beam epitaxy

  • Khan Alam*
  • , Rodrigo Ponce-Pérez
  • , Kai Sun
  • , Andrew Foley
  • , Noboru Takeuchi
  • , Arthur R. Smith*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Structural phase transition is studied in high quality CrN thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy on MgO(001) substrates. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction reveal that the epitaxial relationship between CrN film and MgO substrate is [ 100 ] CrN / [ 100 ] MgO , [ 110 ] CrN / [ 110 ] MgO , and [ 001 ] CrN / [ 001 ] MgO . The films show tensile strain/compression at the CrN/MgO(001) interface, which relaxes gradually with the film growth. Temperature dependent x-ray diffraction measurements show a first-order structural phase transition. In addition to the experimental measurements, first-principles theoretical calculations have been carried out for finding a stable model for the CrN/MgO interface. These calculations determine two possible models for the interface, where a monolayer of chromium oxide is formed between the CrN and MgO layers.

Original languageEnglish
Article number053411
JournalJournal of Vacuum Science and Technology A: Vacuum, Surfaces and Films
Volume41
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Author(s).

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films

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