Effects of thermal annealing on the texture of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 thin films

Thin films of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO) were prepared at 670 degreesC on LaAl O3, (LAO) and SrTiO3 (STO) substrates by liquid-delivery metalorganic chemi cal vapor deposition. X-ray diffraction analysis 2 theta/theta and pole fig ure scans showed that the films are epitaxial with (001)(LSMO)//(001)(LAO) and (001)(LSMO)//(001)(STO). The crystal structure of LSMO/LAO was indexed as face-centered cubic with a double cell and LSMO/STO as simple cubic. Ele ctron microscopy revealed square facets and elongated grain features. Films heat-treated between 700 and 800 degreesC on LAO resulted in a structural change, while those on STO showed an increase in texture.