TEM Characterisation of YNi_2B_2C Thin Film Microstructure

摘要

A thin film of the superconductor YNi_2B_2C deposited on an MgO(001) substrate by pulsed laser deposition has been investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Plan-view TEM analyses show that the YNi_2B_2C film consists of isolated rectangular grains distributed within a second phase. This phase was identified as the monoclinic phase Y_2Ni_(15)B_6 with lattice parameters a = 1.422 run, b = 1.067 nm, c = 0.958 nm and β = 95°. Additionally, the cubic phase Y_2O_3 with lattice constant a = 1.06 nm was identified within the film.