Ultra-Large Compressive Plasticity of E-Ga₂O₃ Thin Films at the Submicron Scale

Gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) usually fractures in the brittle form, and achieving large plastic deformability to avoid catastrophic failure is in high demand. Here, ε-Ga₂O₃ thin films with columnar crystals and partial unoccupied Ga sites are synthesized, and it is demonstrated that the ε-Ga₂O₃ at the submicron scale can be compressed to an ultra-large plastic strain of 48.5% without cracking. The compressive behavior and related mechanisms are investigated by in situ transmission electron microscope nanomechanical testing combined with atomic-resolution characterizations. The serrated plastic flow and large strain burst are two major deformation forms of ε-Ga₂O₃ during compression, which are attributed to the dislocation nucleation and avalanches, formation of new grains, and amorphization. The ultra-large compressive plasticity of ε-Ga₂O₃ thin films at the submicron scale can inspire new applications of Ga₂O₃ in micro- or nano- electronic and optoelectronic devices, especially those that require impact resistance during processing or service.