Domain structures and superdislocations of La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 thin films grown on SrTiO3 substrates

The domain structures and dislocations in epitaxial thin films of La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 grown on SrTiO3 substrates by pulsed laser deposition were investigated using transmission electron microscopy. It revealed that the films contained the 12[100]0 and 12[101¯]0 types partial threading dislocations, the 90°- and 120°-types of twin-domain boundaries, and two types 12[010]0, 12[111]0, of antiphase boundaries, which are often observed in bulk materials. In addition, two types of superdislocations were detected; one consisted of two 12[111]0 dislocations and a 12[111]0 antiphase boundary, and the other was composed of two 12[010]0 dislocations and a 12[010]0 antiphase boundary. These superdislocations, domain boundaries, and their relationships were extensively explored.