Epitaxial growth and characterization of CaVO3 thin films

Epitaxial thin films of CaVO3 were synthesized on SrTiO3, LaAlO3 and (La0.27Sr0.73)(Al0.65Ta0.35)O-3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition. All CaVO3 films, independent of epitaxial strain, exhibit metallic and Pauli paramagnetic behavior as CaVO3 single crystals. X-ray absorption measurements confirmed the 4+ valence state for Vanadium ions. With prolonged air exposure, an increasing amount of V3+ is detected and is attributed to oxygen loss in the near surface region of the films. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.