The molecular beam epitaxial growth, of thin films of (110)-oriented compounds onto (110)Nb on (11•0) Al2O3 substrates, was studied. The epitaxial growth was initiated by the deposition of a thin layer of Fe onto the Nb. The structures were then investigated by using reflection high-energy electron diffraction and X-ray scattering techniques. It was found that, depending upon the heat treatment of the thin Fe layer, the intermetallic epitaxial films that were grown onto it were either single crystals or contained twins that were related by a 110 rotation about the surface normal.

V.Oderno, C.Dufour, K.Dumesnil, P.Mangin, G.Marchal: Journal of Crystal Growth, 1996, 165, 175-8