The fabrication of layer‐by‐layer mode LaCoO3 film by pulsed laser deposition

The relationship between strain and growth conditions in LaCoO₃ thin film was obtained to control the magnetic‐electric characteristics. The LaCoO₃ thin films on the SrTiO₃ substrates have been achieved by the pulsed laser deposition method, and the reflection high‐energy electron diffraction method (RHEED) was applied to monitor the growth process in situ; the layer‐by‐layer growth mode was discovered. The X‐ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy were applied to the phase analysis, and the layer thickness and the layer‐by‐layer growth mode were uncovered. Compared with the 100‐nm LaCoO₃ thin films, the strain in the layer‐by‐layer ultra thin film was more controllable. The enhanced magnetic properties of the layer‐by‐layer mode ultra‐thin films could be tested in future work.