We present an analytical model to quantitatively study the effect of collisions between the atoms of a plume and the molecules of a surrounding gas on the nonstoichiometry of lithium-containing oxide thin films deposited using pulsed laser deposition. A comparison of the experimental data and the model ascertain the inevitable loss of the lighter cation, leading to a nonstoichiometric reduction in the content of lighter cations in the films. Our model is the first analytic model of collision-induced plume expansion that can explain the partial oxygen pressure dependence of the Li content of a thin film. These studies have important implications for collision effects that affect the growth of thin films containing both light and heavy elements.

• Received 7 March 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.036101