Epitaxial Dy₂O₃ thin films grown on Ge(100) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy

Dysprosium oxide (Dy2O3) films are grown epitaxially on high mobility Ge(100) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy system. Reflection high energy electron diffraction patterns and X-ray diffraction spectra show that single crystalline cubic Dy2O3 films are formed on Ge(100) substrates. The epitaxial-relationship is identified as Dy 2O3 (110) || Ge(100) and Dy2O3 [001] || Ge[011]. Atomic force microscopy results show that the surface of the Dy2O3 film is uniform, flat and smooth with root mean square surface roughness of about 4.6Å. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy including depth profiles confirms the composition of the films being close to Dy2O3. TEM measurements reveal a sharp, crystalline interface between the oxide and Ge. © 2010 Materials Research Society.