Samarium Copper Oxide sputtering targets, formulated to the Sm2CuO4 T’-phase composition, are supplied by Infinita Materials for deposition of rare-earth cuprate thin films used in electron-doped superconductor, high-permittivity dielectric, and functional oxide research. As the undoped parent compound of the Sm2-xCexCuO4-y electron-doped superconducting family, this material bridges strongly correlated electron physics and practical thin-film device fabrication.
Samarium copper oxide (Sm₂CuO₄) crystallises in the tetragonal T′-phase (I4/mmm), featuring square-planar CuO₂ layers separated by Sm–O layers. In its stoichiometric form, it is an antiferromagnetic charge-transfer insulator, with Cu²⁺ ordering typically occurring near 250–300 K. Its layered cuprate structure makes Sm₂CuO₄ valuable as a parent material for electron-doped superconductivity research, particularly cerium-substituted Sm₂₋ₓCeₓCuO₄₋ᵧ. Sputtering from ceramic targets, typically using RF magnetron deposition, enables controlled thin-film fabrication and stoichiometry. Sm₂CuO₄ films are also investigated for high dielectric permittivity, embedded capacitor applications, and Sr-doped mixed ionic-electronic conductivity for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel-cell cathodes.
Answer: SmCuO₄ sputtering targets are utilized to deposit thin films with tailored magnetic, electronic, and catalytic properties for advanced technological applications.
Answer: SmCuO₄’s electronic and optical properties allow it to function effectively in thin-film applications for photodetectors and similar optoelectronic technologies.
Samarium copper oxide (Sm₂CuO₄) crystallises in the tetragonal T′-phase (I4/mmm), featuring square-planar CuO₂ layers separated by Sm–O layers. In its stoichiometric form, it is an antiferromagnetic charge-transfer insulator, with Cu²⁺ ordering typically occurring near 250–300 K. Its layered cuprate structure makes Sm₂CuO₄ valuable as a parent material for electron-doped superconductivity research, particularly cerium-substituted Sm₂₋ₓCeₓCuO₄₋ᵧ. Sputtering from ceramic targets, typically using RF magnetron deposition, enables controlled thin-film fabrication and stoichiometry. Sm₂CuO₄ films are also investigated for high dielectric permittivity, embedded capacitor applications, and Sr-doped mixed ionic-electronic conductivity for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel-cell cathodes.
Key Properties of Samarium Copper Oxide
Property
Value
Significance
Crystal structure
Tetragonal T’-phase, space group I4/mmm, isostructural with Nd2CuO4
Defines the apical-oxygen-free CuO2 plane coordination central to electron-doped cuprate physics and to epitaxial matching with related layered oxide films
Chemical formula
Sm2CuO4 (catalog listings also cite SmCuO4 and Sm2CuOx for as-fired non-stoichiometric material)
Composition sets Cu valence and oxygen content, which in turn control the electronic and magnetic behaviour of deposited films
Molar mass
~428.26 g/mol
Reference value for target mass, film thickness, and deposition-rate calculations
Density (sintered target)
~6.9 g/cm3 (theoretical XRD density ~7.6-7.9 g/cm3)
Affects sputter yield, deposition rate calibration, and thermal mass during extended runs
Melting point
~1200-1300 C
Sets the sintering and hot-pressing process window during target fabrication and the thermal stress ceiling in service
Electronic character
Antiferromagnetic charge-transfer insulator in undoped form
Requires RF, not DC, magnetron sputtering to avoid charge buildup and arcing on the target face
Magnetic behavior
Cu2+ sublattice antiferromagnetic order below ~250-300 K; additional Sm3+ ordering at low temperature
Relevant to films used in spintronic, magneto-electronic, and strongly correlated electron research
Thermal conductivity
~2.0-3.0 W/(m*K)
Comparatively low value requires controlled RF power ramp rates to avoid thermal-shock cracking of the ceramic target.
Types & Grades of Samarium Copper Oxide
Samarium Copper Oxide targets are offered in standard catalog sizes and grades, with custom purity, density, and geometry available for OEM and R&D deposition systems.
Grade / Form
Typical Purity
Key Features / Uses
Standard catalogue disc, IN-CuSm-01
>99.9%
1in diameter x 0.125in thick; RF sputtering for R&D-scale film development and process screening
Standard catalogue disc, IN-CuSm-02
>99.9%
2in diameter x 0.25in thick; higher-throughput laboratory coaters and longer deposition campaigns
High-purity grade
99.99% – 99.999%
Reduced trace transition-metal and rare-earth impurities for superconducting-film and dielectric-film studies sensitive to defect density
Large-format / custom planar target
>99.9%, custom
Rectangular, square, ring, and oval geometries up to industrial coater dimensions for pilot-scale production
Bonded / rotary assembly
>99.9%
Indium- or elastomer-bonded to copper backing plates, or supplied as cylindrical rotary targets, for production systems requiring efficient heat sinking
Applications of Samarium Copper Oxide
Sputtered films of Samarium Copper Oxide support demanding roles across research and production applications where this material’s specific structural, electronic, or optical properties are the key requirement.
Industry
Application
Function
Superconductor research
Electron-doped cuprate thin films (Sm2-xCexCuO4-y)
Parent-compound template and starting composition for cerium-doped n-type high-Tc superconducting films
Electronic components
High-permittivity capacitor dielectrics
Sm2CuO4-based films exploited for colossal-permittivity behaviour in embedded and X5R-class capacitor layers.
Energy/fuel cells
Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathodes
Strontium-doped Sm2CuO4 films act as mixed ionic-electronic conductor cathode layers in intermediate-temperature SOFCs
Oxide electronics/epitaxy
Buffer and seed layers for layered-oxide film growth
Structurally matched template for epitaxial growth of related T’- and T-phase rare-earth cuprate and perovskite films
Sensors
Resistive gas and humidity sensing films
Redox-sensitive Cu valence in the rare-earth cuprate lattice provides a measurable resistance response to ambient conditions.
Academic/condensed matter physics
Antiferromagnetism and strongly correlated electron studies
Epitaxial films of the parent compound used to probe spin dynamics and electron correlation effects ahead of doping studies
Why Partner with Infinita Materials?
Technical Depth: in-house quality control with ICP-MS and XRF purity verification, density measurement, and full certificates of analysis on every target.
Global Logistics: reliable supply from single R&D-scale targets to production-line volumes, with established international shipping.
Responsive Support: direct access to materials engineers for grade, bonding, and geometry selection, and process-compatibility questions.
Take the Next Step
Infinita Materials fabricates Samarium Copper Oxide sputtering targets engineered to the purity, density, and geometry your deposition process requires. Whether the requirement is a standard catalogue target or a custom size, purity, or bonded assembly, our team can help match the right specification to your deposition system. Request a quote or speak with our technical team to discuss your target specification.
Other Related Product to Samarium Copper Oxide, SmCuO4 and Sm2CuOx
SmCuO₄ sputtering targets are utilized to deposit thin films with tailored magnetic, electronic, and catalytic properties for advanced technological applications.
SmCuO₄’s electronic and optical properties allow it to function effectively in thin-film applications for photodetectors and similar optoelectronic technologies.
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