Mass and kinetic energy distribution of the species generated by laser ablation of La0.6Ca0.4MnO3

The mass distributions of the species generated by laser ablation from a La0.6Ca0.4MnO3 target using laser irradiation wavelengths of 193 nm, 266 nm and 308 nm have been investigated with and without a synchronized gas pulse of N2O. The kinetic energies of the species are measured using an electrostatic deflection energy analyzer, while the mass distributions of the species were analyzed with a quadrupole mass filter.

In vacuum (pressure 10−7 mbar), the ablation plume consists of metal atoms and ions such as La, Ca, Mn, O, LaO, as well as multiatomic species, e.g. LaMnO+. The LaO+ diatomic species are by far the most intense diatomic species in the plume, while CaO and MnO are only detected in small amounts. The interaction of a reactive N2O gas pulse with the ablation plume leads to an increase in plume reactivity, which is desired when thin manganite films are grown, in order to incorporate the necessary amount of oxygen into the film.

The N2O gas pulse appears to have a significant influence on the oxidation of the Mn species in the plume, and on the creation of negative ions, such as LaO−,O− and O2−.