Highly oriented thin films of alpha-alumina have been grown by pulsed
laser deposition on Si(lll). The influence of the substrate temperatur
e on the film growth was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (
XPS) and X-ray diffraction (MID). Ablation at temperatures between roo
m temperature and 850 degrees C gave rise to incorporated crystalline
aluminium (Al), while the stoichiometric and highly oriented alpha-Al2
O3 films were obtained only at 850 degrees C. The XRD rocking curve me
asurements of the ablated films showed the full-width-at-half-maximum
(FWHM) Of 0.2 degrees. Further annealing at 1000 degrees C in air for
26 h slightly improved out-of-plane orientation. (C) 1997 Elsevier Sci
ence S.A.