LSAT is primarily used in its single crystal form, typically as thin (≤1 mm) wafers. These wafers are used as a common substrate for epitaxial growth of thin films. LSAT substrates are popular for epitaxial oxides and their heterostructures, often in the study of electron correlation phenomena. Typical materials grown on LSAT substrates include strontium titanate (SrTiO), cuprate superconductors (such as YBCO), iron-based superconductors (iron-pnictides), rare-earth manganites, rare-earth nickelates and others. Semiconductors such as gallium nitride can also be grown on LSAT.
LSAT's usefulness as a substrate for the growth of such films stems from its high chemical and thermal stability, and very low electrical conductivity. The growth conditions for such epitaxial layers can cause some substrates to form high densities of defects that can alter their properties. One example is the tendency of strontium titanate to form oxygen vacancy defects under high temperatures in high vacuum. These defects result in considerable variations of its properties, including the increase of electrical conductivity and optical opacity. LSAT on the other hand, is stable in both oxidizing and fairly reducing environments in high temperatures, thus enabling a larger window for the processing and growth conditions.