Zirconium oxide thin films were grown by atomic layer deposition using a new type of Zr alkoxide: [Zr(O' Bu)(2)(dmae)(2)](2) (dmae is dimethylaminoethoxide). Water was used as the oxygen source. The films grown at 190-240 degreesC were amorphous, and the films grown at 290-340 degreesC were nanocrystalline. The highest refractive index of the films was 2.08 at a wavelength of 580 um. The permittivity of a film grown at 240 degreesC was 25. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.