Epitaxial strain and superconductivity in La<inf>2-x</inf>Sr<inf>x</inf>CuO<inf>4</inf> thin films

Abstract

Single crystal La2-xSrxCuO4 (LSCO) thin films was studied under compressive and tensile epitaxial strain. The films were annealed in a controlled oxidation environment, spanning a very broad range of equivalent oxygen partial pressure, and investigated the effect on the crystal structure and transport properties. Film growth was monitored by reflection high-energy electron system. Results indicated evidence of extra oxygen incorporation in nominally undoped or underdoped LSCO films, at very low temperature. This affected the crystal structure and critical temperature.