Stress studies in multi-ferroic systems

Lately, we extended our stress studies to multi-ferroic systems in the framework of the special research initiative SFB 762. To this end, an ultra-high-vacuum system devoted to stress measurements during pulsed-laser-deposition (PLD) of complex oxides by an excimer laser on metal single crystal surfaces has been developed. A computer-controlled mirror scans the laser light over a stationary target inside the vacuum chamber, while our two-beam optical deflection technique monitors the stress change during PLD. This allows stress measurements during PLD of different materials such as oxidic multilayers in one experimental run .