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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2011
We report the observation of a higher degree of preferred crystalline orientation in Nb/rare earth superlattices for modulation wavelengths in the range of 200 Å to 500 Å than that exhibited by single component films. All films and multilayers are sputter deposited onto room temperature sapphire substrates. Electronic transport measurements also show that the residual resistance ratio is higher and the room temperature resistivity is lower than for multilayers of either greater or lower periodicities. Transmission electron micrographs (TEM) showing excellent layering, grain size comparable to the layer thickness, and evidence of some degree of epitaxy are presented.