A Novel Approach for Fabricating LaMN[O.sub.3] Thin Films Using Combined Microwave Combustion and Pulsed Electron Deposition Techniques

LaMn[O.sub.3] (LMO) nanopowder was synthesized by the microwave combustion method using glycine and nitrate salts of La and Mn as precursors. The as-prepared LMO powder was pressed at high pressure and annealed at 1000[degrees]C for 8 hours to make a target for thin film deposition. The structural and elemental analysis was obtained by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Thin films of LMO were fabricated using pulsed electron deposition (PED) at room temperature. The effects of discharge voltage and oxygen/argon flux ratio on the produced thin films were studied. The study shows that stoichiometry and structure of the target was preserved well in the thin films prepared with a discharge voltage from 14 to 15 kV, while the oxygen/ nitrogen flux ratio did not show a clear effect on the quality of thin films.