Artificial superlattices with abrupt interfaces by monolayer-controlled growth kinetics during magnetron sputter epitaxy, case of hexagonal CrB2/TiB2 heterostructuresShow others and affiliations
2025 (English)In: Materials & design, ISSN 0264-1275, E-ISSN 1873-4197, Vol. 251, article id 113661Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Artificial superlattices exhibit exceptional electronic, magnetic, optical, and mechanical properties which make them unique candidates for applications in a broad range of technologies. A common key feature of superlattices is the need for atomically abrupt interfaces. However, superlattices comprised of materials with different properties, such as melting points and diffusivities, pose large challenges for achieving high crystal quality of both constituents with abrupt interfaces. By employing ion-assisted magnetron sputter epitaxy, we present an innovative solution to this problem with utilizing a unique combination of thermal radiation and kinetic energy that enable sufficient adatom mobility for epitaxial growth of both materials. The research was implemented for the case of CrB2/TiB2 heteroepitaxial superlattices, as neutron interference mirrors, wherein the constituents’ melting points differ by 1100 K. Ion-induced intermixing was avoided by commencing growth of each TiB2 and CrB2 layer by up to 3 unit cells (uc) without ion assistance, forming a buffer to protect the interface during the ion-assisted growth of the remainder of each layer. Heteroepitaxial superlattice growth with interface widths σCrB2 ∼1 uc and σTiB2 ∼2 uc was confirmed for different modulation periods. More than 3000 uc (∼1 µm) thick superlattices with abrupt interfaces were demonstrated for neutron mirror applications.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2025. Vol. 251, article id 113661
Keywords [en]
Superlattice, Unit cell buffer, Interface engineering, Modulated ion-assistance, Magnetron sputtering, Neutron optics
National Category
Condensed Matter Physics
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-555143DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2025.113661ISI: 001421830000001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85215987105OAI: oai:DiVA.org:uu-555143DiVA, id: diva2:1954536
Part of project
The Accelerator-based Ion Technology Center, Swedish Research CouncilSuper ADAM, Swedish Research Council
Funder
Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, GSn15-0008Swedish Research Council, 2019-00191Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, KAW 2015.0043Linköpings universitet, 2009 00971Stiftelsen Hans WerthénfondenSwedish Research Council, 2021-001592025-04-252025-04-252025-04-25Bibliographically approved