CdO/MgO superlattices grown by MBE as cubic CdMgO quasi-alloys

Abstract

New perspective cubic quasi-alloys CdO/MgO short period superlattices were grown on sapphire substrates by plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy. Their crystal quality was characterized using High Resolution X-ray Diffraction (HRXRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques. The thickness and growth rate of MgO and CdO individual layers have been extracted. Small angle X-ray diffraction peaks corresponding to the period of the superlattices ranging from 0.6 to 5 nm were clearly observed. From the XRD measurements we obtain 65% relaxation to the substrate of superlattice (SL) in Sample A (CdO/MgO - 4.7 nm/1 nm) and 96% relaxation of SL in Sample B (CdO/MgO - 2 nm/4 nm). Surface roughness parameters for SL were obtained both by Small angle X-ray diffraction and Atomic Force Microcopy studies.