The growth of LiNbO3 (006) on MgO (001) and LiTaO3 (012) substrates by sol-gel procedure

LiNbO3 films, which were based on a non-hydrolytic sol-gel route, were depo sited on LiTaO3 (0 1 2) and MgO (0 0 1) substrates. After drying, thin film s with amorphous structure were obtained. During heat treatment followed by drying, amorphous structure changed into crystalline structure. Both cases of LiNbO3 films showed high orientation of LiNbO3 (0 0 6) planes as well a s other orientations. The influences of substrate structure were investigat ed through the lattice matching mechanisms. A lattice matching relationship could be proposed as LiNbO3 (0 0 6)[2 1 0]//MgO (0 0 1)[1 1 0] for LiNbO3/ MgO system, and an indirect matching relationship of LiNbO3 (0 0 6)[-1 1 0 ]//LiTaO3 (0 1 2)[1 0 0] for LiNbO3/LiTaO3 system. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.