Conducting Sr0.7NbO3 thin film electrodes for ferroelectric capacitors

We report the synthesis of thin films of the conducting cubic oxide Sr0.7NbO3 by pulsed laser deposition. Deposition conditions were investigated and optimized to yield both conductivity and crystallinity. Unlike most similar materials we find that successful synthesis of conducting Sr0.7NbO3 is very sensitive to oxygen pressure during deposition. Optimal properties were obtained for vacuum deposition at a substrate temperature of 750 degrees C. Typical resistivity was 800 mu Omega cm at 300 K and independent of temperature down to 10 K. Films grew epitaxially onto {100} MgO. Functionality of the material was demonstrated by preparing MgO/Sr0.7NbO3/PBTiO3/Au capacitors. Despite their apparently excellent lattice match, these capacitors exhibited depressed Curie temperatures, (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.