title: In situ X-ray diffraction and the evolution of polarization during the growth of ferroelectric superlattices.
abstract: In epitaxially strained ferroelectric thin films and superlattices, the ferroelectric transition temperature can lie above the growth temperature. Ferroelectric polarization and domains should then evolve during the growth of a sample, and electrostatic boundary conditions may play an important role. In this work, ferroelectric domains, surface termination, average lattice parameter and bilayer thickness are simultaneously monitored using in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction during the growth of BaTiO3/SrTiO3 superlattices on SrTiO3 substrates by off-axis radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The technique used allows for scan times substantially faster than the growth of a single layer of material. Effects of electric boundary conditions are investigated by growing the same superlattice alternatively on SrTiO3 substrates and 20 nm SrRuO3 thin films on SrTiO3 substrates. These experiments provide important insights into the formation and evolution of ferroelectric domains when the sample is ferroelectric during the growth process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3800, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bein
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3800, USA.
authors.forename: Hsiang-Chun
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hsing
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3800, USA.
authors.forename: Sara J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Callori
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3800, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sinsheimer
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Cook Physical Science Building, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA.
authors.forename: Priya V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Chinta
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Cook Physical Science Building, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA.
authors.forename: Randall L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Headrick
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-3800, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dawber