Search for superconductivity in LaNiP(2) (P=Bi, Sb) thin films grown by reactive molecular beam epitaxy

We have explored the possibility of using reactive molecular beam epitaxy (RMBE) as a synthesis technique for the search for arsenic free pnictide superconductors. High quality epitaxial thin films of LaNiBi(2) were successfully grown on (100) MgO substrates by RMBE. The films were (00l) oriented and the epitaxial nature of the films was confirmed by RHEED and X-ray diffraction measurements. The LaN-iBi(2) thin films grown on (100) MgO shows that the a-axis of the films were 45 degree rotated with respect to MgO. The Ni deficient films gave a T(c)(0) of 3.1 K. We have successfully substituted Bi by Sb and have grown high quality epitaxial thin films of LaNiSb(2). However, the LaNiSb(2) thin films did not show any superconductivity down to 1.5 K.