Effect of synthesis conditions on the metal-semiconductor phase transition in vanadium dioxide thin films

The effect of the conditions of synthesis and of the substrate material on the metal-semiconductor phase transition in thin vanadium dioxide films prepared using laser ablation has been studied. The broadening of the hysteresis loop is shown to be due to a decrease in the size of the crystal grains making up the film. Conjectures are put forward to explain the formation of asymmetric hysteresis loops. (C) 2004 MAIK Nauka / Interperiodica.