Influence of indium content on the optical, electrical and crystallization kinetics of Se100−xInxthin films deposited by flash evaporation technique

Thin films of Se _100−xIn_x (x=10, 20 and 30 at%) have been prepared by the flash evaporation technique. The effect of the indium content on optical band gap of the Se_100−x In_x films has been investigated by the optical characterization. The optical band gap values of the Se_100−x In_x thin films were determined and are found to decrease with increasing indium content. This indium content changes the width of localized states in the optical band gaps of the thin films. It was found that the optical band gap, E_g, of the Se_100−x In_x films changes from 1.78 to 1.37 eV with increasing indium content from 10 to 30 at%, while the width of localized states in optical band gap changes from 375 to 342 meV. The temperature dependence of the dark electrical conductivity were studied in the temperature range 303-433 K and revealed two activation energies providing two electrical conduction mechanisms. The activation energy of the Se_100−x In_x films in the high temperature region changes from 0.49 to 0.32 eV with increasing indium content from 10 to 30 at%, while the hopping activation energy in the lower temperature region changes from 0.17 to 0.22 meV. The change in the electrical conductivity with time during the amorphous-to-crystalline transformation is recorded for amorphous Se_100−xIn_x films at two points of isothermal temperatures 370 and 400 K. The formal crystallization theory of Avrami has been used to calculate the kinetic parameters of crystallization.     

Photo-electrochemical properties of multi-layered thin films composed of chalcogenide and superionic conductor glasses

Multi-layered thin films, which consisted of metallic silver, GeSe₃ glass, and silver oxyhalide superionic conductor glass were prepared. Photo- and electrochemical reaction of metallic silver with the chalcogenide glass layer was studied by optical absorbance and cyclic-voltammetry. Photo-doping of silver through the superionic glass layer was observed using evaporated AgI---Ag₂MoO₄ film and it was partly undoped by electrochemical treatment. However, no photo-doping was observed for the cell consisting of a AgI---AgPO₃ dip-coated layer. The doped silver was dissolved into the GeSe₃ layer during the photo-doping process. However, it formed another intermediate compound layer (probably silver selenide) during the electrodoping process.     

Optical and electrical properties of thermally oxidized bismuth thin films

Bismuth trioxide (Bi₂O₃) thin films were prepared by dry thermal oxidation of metallic bismuth films deposited by vacuum evaporation. The oxidation process of Bi films consists of a heating from the room temperature to an oxidation temperature (T_o = 673 K), with a temperature rate of 8 K/min; an annealing for 1 h at oxidation temperature and, finally, a cooling to room temperature. The optical transmission and reflection spectra of the films were studied in spectral domains ranged between 300 nm and 1700 nm, for the transmission coefficient, and between 380 nm and 1050 nm for the reflection coefficient, respectively. The thin-film surface structures of the metal/oxide/metal type were used for the study of the static current-voltage (I-U) characteristics. The temperature of the substrate during bismuth deposition strongly influences both the optical and the electrical properties of the oxidized films. For lower values of intensity of electric field (ξ < 5 × 10⁴V/cm), I-U characteristics are ohmic.     

Effect of precursors on structure, optical and electrical properties of chemically deposited nanocrystalline ZnO thin films

Nanocrystalline ZnO thin films were chemically deposited on glass substrates using two different precursors namely, zinc sulphate and zinc nitrate. XRD studies confirm that the films are polycrystalline zinc oxide having hexagonal wurtzite structure with crystallite size in the range 25-33 nm. The surface morphology of film prepared using zinc sulphate exhibits agglomeration of small grains throughout the surface with no visible holes or faulty zones, while the film prepared using zinc nitrate shows a porous structure consisting of grains with different sizes separated by empty spaces. The film prepared using zinc sulphate shows higher reflectance due to its larger refractive index which is related to the packing density of grains in the film. Further, the film prepared using zinc sulphate is found to have normal dispersion for the wavelength range 550-750 nm, whereas the film prepared using zinc nitrate has normal dispersion for the wavelength range 450-750 nm. The direct optical band gaps in the two films are estimated to be 3.01 eV and 3.00 eV, respectively. The change in film resistance with temperature has been explained on the basis of two competing processes, viz. thermal excitation of electrons and atmospheric oxygen adsorption, occurring simultaneously. The activation energies of the films in two different regions indicate the presence of two energy levels - one deep and one shallow near the bottom of the conduction band in the bandgap.     

非化学计量比靶材溅射制备Cu-Al-O薄膜的光学电学性质研究

考虑到铜铝溅射速率的差别,使用铜铝比例为0.9 ∶1的多晶CuAlO₂靶材,用射频磁控溅射法制备Cu-Al-O薄膜.研究不同衬底温度对薄膜光学电学性能的影响.在衬底温度500 ℃附近,薄膜在可见光范围内具有很好的透光性,达到70%,计算拟合得到直接帯隙为3.52 eV,与CuAlO₂相的理论值符合较好.在室温附近,薄膜导电符合半导体热激活机理,在衬底温度为500 ℃附近薄膜电导率达到2.48×10^-3 S·cm^-1. 关键词： Cu-Al-O 衬底温度 透过率 电导率     

Determination of optical properties of SnO2 films

Summary The optical properties of conductive transparent thin films of undoped SnO₂, prepared by using magnetron supttering, were studied by measuring the transmittance and the reflectance between λ=0.25 μm and λ=3μm. The extracted optical constants are interpreted to give values of a direct band gap of the order of 4 eV and of an indirect band gap of the order of 3 eV. Typical SnO₂ films transmit ≈85% of visible light, have sheet resistanceR _∂ (100÷800) Ω_∂ and resistivities of (2.4·10⁻³÷1.8·10⁻²) Ω cm.

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Riassunto Mediante la misura dei valori di transmittanza e di riflettanza per lunghezze d'onda comprese fra 0.25 μm e 3 μm, sono state studiate le proprietà ottiche di film sottili (trasparenti e conduttivi) di SnO₂ non drogato, preparati mediante sputtering. Dai valori così ottenuti sono stati ricavati valori del gap diretto dell'ordine di 4 eV e di quello indiretto dell'ordine di 3 eV. Un film di SnO₂ presenta tipicamente valori della transmittanza intorno all'85%, per luce visibile,R _∂ intorno ai (100÷800) Ω_∂ e resistività fra 2.4·10⁻³ e 1.8·10⁻² Ω cm.

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Резюме Пзмеряя величины пропускания и отражения в области длин волн между λ=0.25 мкм и λ=3 мкм, исследуются оптические свойства проводящих прозрачных тонких пленок нелегированного SnO₂, приготовленных с помощью напыления. Из полученных оптических постоянных извлекаются значения прямой щели, порядка 4 эВ, и непрямой щели, порядка 3 эВ. Типичные пленки SnO₂ пропускают ∼85% видимого света, имеют сопротивлениеR _∂ (100÷800) Ω_∂ и удельные сопротивления в области (2.4·10⁻³÷1.8·10⁻²) Ом·см.

     

The accuracies of photometric, polarimetric and ellipsometric methods for the optical constants of thin films

The inherent accuracies of various techniques for determining the optical constants of thin films have been assessed by computing the errors produced in n and k by known experimental errors in the optical functions being measured. The results are presented as arrays of error parallelograms in the n–k plane covering d/λ from 0.001 to 0.20 and θ from 5° to 85°.The largest regions of accuracy, in the form of annular quadrants, were obtained using the mixed photometric and polarimetric functions at small angles of incidence. Ellipsometry gives similar results at large angles of incidence but for photometry and for polarimetry the accurate regions were in the form of two lobes.The effects of errors in x and θ were also considered.     

An influence of deposition temperature on structural,optical and electrical properties of sprayed ZnO thin films of identical thickness

Nanocrystalline ZnO thin films were deposited at different temperatures (T_s = 325 °C–500 °C) by intermittent spray pyrolysis technique. The thickness (300 ± 10 nm) independent effect of T_s on physical properties was explored. X-Ray diffraction analysis revealed the growth of wurtzite type polycrystalline ZnO films with dominant c-axis orientation along [002] direction. The crystallite size increased (31 nm–60 nm) and optical band-gap energy decreased (3.272 eV–3.242 eV) due to rise in T_s. Scanning electron microscopic analysis of films deposited at 450 °C confirmed uniform growth of vertically aligned ZnO nanorods. The films deposited at higher T_s demonstrated increased hydrophobic behavior. These films exhibited high transmittance (>91%), low dark resistivity (～10^?2 Ω-cm), superior figure of merit (～10^?3 Ω^?1) and low sheet resistance (～10² Ω/□). The charge carrier concentration (η -/cm³) and mobility (μ – cm²V^?1s^?1) are primarily governed by crystallinity, grain boundary passivation and oxygen desorption effects.     

Characterization of pulsed laser deposited chalcogenide thin layers

In this work we report on pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of chalcogenide thin films from the systems (AsSe)_100−xAgI_x and (AsSe)_100−xAg_x for sensing applications. A KrF* excimer laser (λ = 248 nm; τ_FWHM = 25 ns) was used to ablate the targets that had been prepared from the synthesised chalcogenide materials. The films were deposited in either vacuum (4 × 10⁻⁴ Pa) or argon (5 Pa) on silicon and glass substrates kept at room temperature. The basic properties of the films, including their morphology, topography, structure, and composition were characterised by complementary techniques. Investigations by X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the amorphous nature of the films, as no strong diffraction reflections were found. The film composition was studied by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The morphology of the films investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealed a particulate-covered homogeneous surface, typical of PLD. Topographical analyses by atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the particulate size was slightly larger in Ar than in vacuum. The uniform surface areas were rather smooth, with root mean square (rms) roughness increasing up to several nanometers with the AgI or Ag doping. Based upon the results from the comprehensive investigation of the basic properties of the chalcogenide films prepared by PLD and their dependence on the process parameters, samples with appropriate sorption properties can be selected for possible applications in cantilever gas sensors.     

Effect of K-doping on structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films

In this work, K-doped ZnO thin films were prepared by a sol–gel method on Si(111) and glass substrates. The effect of different K-doping concentrations on structural and optical properties of the ZnO thin films was studied. The results showed that the 1 at.% K-doped ZnO thin film had the best crystallization quality and the strongest ultraviolet emission ability. When the concentration of K was above 1 at.%, the crystallization quality and ultraviolet emission ability dropped. For the K-doped ZnO thin films, there was not only ultraviolet emission, but also a blue emission signal in their photoluminescent spectra. The blue emission might be connected with K impurity or/and the intrinsic defects (Zn interstitial and Zn vacancy) of the ZnO thin films.     

Oxidation-induced changes in the electro-optical properties of thin copper films

Summary The room temperature oxidation of vapour deposited copper films has been investigated as a function of film thickness and time by the sheet resistance and optical transmittance measurements. An increase of both sheet resistance and transmittance with a tendency to saturation has been observed. Time variation of the sheet resistance shows that the kinetics of oxidation could be described by a model whereby an initial logarithmic oxide growth changes to an inverse logarithmic one as time progresses; the thicker the film, the longer the change-over time. Absorption coefficients of oxidized films show that the resulting oxide is most probably Cu₂O. Evaluation of the oxidized films for possible use as transparent electrode material shows the existence of an optimum thickness value.

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Riassunto Si è studiata l’ossidazione a temperatura ambiente di pellicole di rame depositate per vaporizzazione in funzione dello spessore della pellicola e del tempo mediante la resistenza del foglio e misurazioni di trasmittenza ottica. Si è osservato un aumento sia della resistenza del foglio, sia della trasmittenza con una tendenza alla saturazione. La variazione temporale della resistenza del foglio mostra che la cinetica di ossidazione potrebbe essere descritta da un modello con cui un’iniziale crescita logaritmica dell’ossido cambia in una logaritmica inversa al crescere del tempo; più spessa è la pellicola più lungo è il tempo del cambiamento. I coefficienti di assorbimento delle pellicole ossidate mostrano che l’ossido risultante è molto probabilmente il Cu₂O. La valutazione delle pellicole ossidate per un possibile uso come materiale di elettrodo trasparente mostra l’esistenza di un valore ottimo dello spessore.

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Резюме Исследуется окисление при комнатной температуре пленок меди в зависимости от толщины пленки и времени, используя измерения сопротивления слоя и оптической прозрачности. Наблюдается увеличение сопротивления слоя и прозрачности с тенденцией к насыщению. Временное изменение сопротивления слоя показывает, что кинетика окисления может быть описана с помощью модели, согласно которой начальный логарифмический рост окисла изменяется на обратно логарифмический, когда время увеличивается; для более толстой пленки изменение происходит при больщих временах. Коэффициенты поглощения окисленных пленок показывают, что результирующий окисел представляет Cu₂O. Оценка возможности использования окисленных пленок в качестве прозрачного материала электродов указывает на существование оптимальной толщины пленки.

     

Laser-induced changes in some of the optical properties of Ge20Bi10Se70 thin films

We have investigated photon-induced changes of optical parameters of amorphous Ge₂₀Bi₁₀Se₇₀ thin films due to illumination by laser irradiation. Absorption peaks were detected in the tailing area in the wavelength range between 300 and 600 nm. These peaks reduced to two peaks in the higher dose (9 J/cm²). The optical energy gap E _gd was found to have the well known direct-allowed transition mechanism. Values of E _gd show that all films exhibit a photo-induced photo-darkening effect indicated by a red shift of E _gd. The higher laser dose shows an increase in E _gd values. The effect of laser on other optical constants was also investigated. The refractive index (n), extinction coefficient (k) and dielectric constant of irradiated films were also calculated.     

Synthesis and optical characterization of nanocrystalline CdTe thin films

From several years the study of binary compounds has been intensified in order to find new materials for solar photocells. The development of thin film solar cells is an active area of research at this time. Much attention has been paid to the development of low cost, high efficiency thin film solar cells. CdTe is one of the suitable candidates for the production of thin film solar cells due to its ideal band gap, high absorption coefficient. The present work deals with thickness dependent study of CdTe thin films. Nanocrystalline CdTe bulk powder was synthesized by wet chemical route at pH≈11.2 using cadmium chloride and potassium telluride as starting materials. The product sample was characterized by transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The structural characteristics studied by X-ray diffraction showed that the films are polycrystalline in nature. CdTe thin films with thickness 40, 60, 80 and 100 nm were prepared on glass substrates by using thermal evaporation onto glass substrate under a vacuum of 10⁻⁶ Torr. The optical constants (absorption coefficient, optical band gap, refractive index, extinction coefficient, real and imaginary part of dielectric constant) of CdTe thin films was studied as a function of photon energy in the wavelength region 400–2000 nm. Analysis of the optical absorption data shows that the rule of direct transitions predominates. It has been found that the absorption coefficient, refractive index (n) and extinction coefficient (k) decreases while the values of optical band gap increase with an increase in thickness from 40 to 100 nm, which can be explained qualitatively by a thickness dependence of the grain size through decrease in grain boundary barrier height with grain size.     

Determination and analysis of dispersive optical constants of CuIn3S5 thin films

CuIn₃S₅ thin films were prepared from powder by thermal evaporation under vacuum (10⁻⁶ mbar) onto glass substrates. The glass substrates were heated from 30 to 200 °C. The films were characterized for their optical properties using optical measurement techniques (transmittance and reflectance). We have determined the energy and nature of the optical transitions of films. The optical constants of the deposited films were determined in the spectral range 300-1800 nm from the analysis of transmission and reflection data. The Swanepoel envelope method was employed on the interference fringes of transmittance patterns for the determination of variation of refractive index with wavelength. Wemple-Di Domenico single oscillator model was applied to determine the optical constants such as oscillator energy E₀ and dispersion energy E_d of the films deposited at different substrate temperatures. The electric free carrier susceptibility and the ratio of the carrier concentration to the effective mass were estimated according to the model of Spitzer and Fan.     

Investigation of interface roughness cross-correlation properties of optical thin films from total scattering losses

The interface roughness and interface roughness cross-correlation properties affect the scattering losses of high-quality optical thin films. In this paper, the theoretical models of light scattering induced by surface and interface roughness of optical thin films are concisely presented. Furthermore, influence of interface roughness cross-correlation properties to light scattering is analyzed by total scattering losses. Moreover, single-layer TiO₂ thin film thickness, substrate roughness of K9 glass and ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) technique effect on interface roughness cross-correlation properties are studied by experiments, respectively. A 17-layer dielectric quarter-wave high reflection multilayer is analyzed by total scattering losses. The results show that the interface roughness cross-correlation properties depend on TiO₂ thin film thickness, substrate roughness and deposition technique. The interface roughness cross-correlation properties decrease with the increase of film thickness or the decrease of substrates roughness. Furthermore, ion beam assisted deposition technique can increase the interface roughness cross-correlation properties of optical thin films. The measured total scattering losses of 17-layer dielectric quarter-wave high reflection multilayer deposited with IBAD indicate that completely correlated interface model can be observed, when substrate roughness is about 2.84 nm.     

Effects of Ti-doped concentration on the microstructures and optical properties of ZnO thin films

The Ti-doped ZnO (ZnO:Ti) thin films have been deposited on glass substrates by radio frequency (RF) reactive magnetron sputtering technique with different Ti doping concentrations. The effect of Ti contents on the crystalline structure and optical properties of the as-deposited ZnO:Ti films was systematically investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence spectrophotometer. The XRD measurements revealed that all the films had hexagonal wurtzite type structure with a strong (100) preferential orientation and relatively weak (002), (101), and (110) peaks. It was found that the intensity of the (100) diffraction peaks was strongly dependent on the Ti doping concentration. And the full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of (002) diffraction peaks constantly changed at various Ti contents, which decreased first and then increased, reaching a minimum of about 0.378° at 1.43 at.% Ti. The morphologies of ZnO:Ti films with 1.43 at.% Ti showed a denser texture and better smooth surface. All the films were found to be highly transparent in the visible wavelength region with an average transmittance over 90%. Compared with E_g = 3.219 eV for pure ZnO film, all the doping samples exhibited a blue-shift of E_g. It can be attributed to the incorporation of Ti atoms and raising the concentration of carriers. Five emission peaks located at 412, 448, 486, 520, and 550 nm were observed from the photoluminescence spectra measured at room temperature and the origin of these emissions was discussed.     

The optical properties of thin erbium films

The effective dielectric constant, ε′₂, of very thin films of erbium on sodium chloride substrates was determined from measurements of normal incidence reflectance and transmittance in the visible spectrum. ε′₂ showed a maximum which moved to longer wavelengths as the film thickness increased. Electron microscopy revealed that the film islands grew flatter and more irregular with thickness. The shape factor of the islands, F, was calculated by a modified Maxwell-Garnett method and became smaller as the film thickness increased.     

Optimization of the optical and electrical properties of electron beam evaporated aluminum-doped zinc oxide films for opto-electronic applications

Aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) thin films have been deposited by electron beam evaporation technique on glass substrates. The structural, electrical and optical properties of AZO films have been investigated as a function of annealing temperature. It was observed that the optical properties such as transmittance, reflectance, optical band gap and refractive index of AZO films were strongly affected by annealing temperature. The transmittance values of 84% in the visible region and 97% in the NIR region were obtained for AZO film annealed at 475 °C. The room temperature electrical resistivity of 4.6×10⁻³ Ω cm has been obtained at the same temperature of annealing. It was found that the calculated refractive index has been affected by the packing density of the thin films, whereas, the high annealing temperature gave rise to improve the homogeneity of the films. The single-oscillator model was used to analyze the optical parameters such as the oscillator and dispersion energies.