Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Stoichiometric vapor deposition of LiTaO3 is demonstrated by thermal evaporation of volatile LiTa(OButn)6, controlled vapor phase partial-hydrolysis, and subsequent polycondensation reactions on a heated substrate surface. Fully dense, amorphous LiTaO3 film of up to 34 μm thick can be obtained at high deposition rate of 23 μm per hour. Single phase LiTaO3 films are obtained by annealing as deposited films. The vapor phase species responsible for the stoichiometric vapor deposition appeared to be Li2Ta2(OButn)12 from variable temperature mass spectrometry results.