Potential phase control of chromium oxide thin films prepared by laser-initiated organometallic chemical vapor deposition

We have used laser-initiated chemical vapor deposition to grow the chromium oxide thin films through the oxidation of ${\mathrm{Cr(CO)}}_{\mathrm{6}}$ in an oxygen environment. While both ${\mathrm{Cr}}_{\mathrm{2}}{\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{3}}$ and ${\mathrm{CrO}}_{\mathrm{2}}$ are present in the film, the relative weight of each phase depends on the oxygen partial pressure. The Curie temperature of the film increases and approaches the bulk $T_C$ of ${\mathrm{CrO}}_{\mathrm{2}}$ (397 K) as the partial oxygen pressure is increased.