We report the synthesis of thin films of the conducting cubic oxide Sr
0.7NbO3 by pulsed laser deposition. Deposition conditions were investi
gated and optimized to yield both conductivity and crystallinity. Unli
ke most similar materials we find that successful synthesis of conduct
ing 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 epita
xially onto {100} MgO. Functionality of the material was demonstrated
by preparing MgO/Sr0.7NbO3/PBTiO3/Au capacitors. Despite their apparen
tly excellent lattice match, these capacitors exhibited depressed Curi
e temperatures, (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.