Controllable Growth of Ni Nanocrystals Embedded in BaTiO<sub>3</sub>/SrTiO<sub>3</sub> Superlattices

Abstract

BaTiO 3 /SrTiO 3 superlattices with embedded Ni nanocrystals (NCs) have been grown on SrTiO 3 (001) substrate using laser molecular beam epitaxy (L-MBE). In situ reflection high -energy electron diffraction (RHEED) was employed to investigate the process of lattice strain in the self-organization of Ni NCs and the epitaxial growth of BaTiO 3 /SrTiO 3 superlattices. The results indicated that the strain from large lattice mismatch drove the self-organization of Ni NCs. Also, the layer-by-layer growth of BaTiO 3 /SrTiO 3 superlattices and the island growth of Ni NCs were controllable accurately. The fine alternation of the two processes would provide a possible route to engineer controllably the nanocomposite microstructure.