Mn3O4 precipitates in laser-ablated manganite films

Precipitates formed during the growth of manganite thin films by pulsed laser deposition have been an obstacle for fabricating high quality devices incorporating these ferromagnetic metals. In order to analyze the nature of these precipitates, we have investigated their spectroscopic and structural properties by scanning transmission electron microscopy. For LaMnO3 films, crystallites of Mn3O4 are found to segregate out from stoichiometric films to accommodate a net cation off-stoichiometry during growth. By tuning the laser spot conditions, these precipitates can be eliminated.