Growth and structural properties of m-plane ZnO on MgO (001) by molecular beam epitaxy

Abstract

The growth of wurtzite ZnO on cubic MgO (001) substrates by molecular beam epitaxy is reported. ZnO epilayers exhibit the nonpolar m-plane orientation based on x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis. Comparative studies of ZnO grown by pulsed laser deposition on MgO (001) result in preferred growth in the polar c-plane orientation. Investigation by high resolution transmission electron microscopy confirms an abrupt ZnO/MgO interface and monolayer spacing consistent with m-plane growth of ZnO. X-ray diffraction pole figures indicate two preferred rotational domains in-plane with a twist angle of 30 degrees. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.