Composition, structure and electrical properties of DC reactive magnetron sputtered Al2O3 thin films

Thin films of alumina (Al2O3) were deposited over Si < 1 0 0 > substrates at room temperature at an oxygen gas pressure of 0.03 Pa and sputtering power of 60 W using DC reactive magnetron sputtering. The composition of the as-deposited film was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and the O/Al atomic ratio was found to be 1.72. The films were then annealed in vacuum to 350, 550 and 750 degrees C and X-ray diffraction results revealed that both as-deposited and post deposition annealed films were amorphous. The surface morphology and topography of the films was studied using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. A progressive decrease in the root mean square (RMS) roughness of the films from 1.53 nm to 0.7 nm was observed with increase in the annealing temperature. Al-Al2O3-Al thin film capacitors were then fabricated on p-type Si < 1 0 0 > substrate to study the effect of temperature and frequency on the dielectric property of the films and the results are discussed.

Deposition and characterization of pure and Cd doped SnO2 thin films by the nebulizer spray pyrolysis (NSP) technique

Pure and cadmium doped tin oxide thin films were deposited on glass substrates from aqueous solution of cadmium acetate, tin (IV) chloride and sodium hydroxide by the nebulizer spray pyrolysis (NSP) technique. X-ray diffraction reveals that all films have tetragonal crystalline structure with preferential orientation along (200) plane. On application of the Scherrer formula, it is found that the maximum size of grains is 67 nm. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the grains are of rod and spherical in shape. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis reveals the average ratio of the atomic percentage of pure and Cd doped SnO2 films. The electrical resistivity is found to be 10(2) Omega cm at higher temperature (170 degrees C) and 10(3) Omega cm at lower temperature (30 degrees C). Optical band gap energy was determined from transmittance and absorbance data obtained from UV-vis spectra. Optical studies reveal that the band gap energy decreases from 3.90 eV to 3.52 eV due to the addition of Cd as dopant with different concentrations.

Crossover from photodarkening to photobleaching in a-GexSe100-x thin films

In this Letter, we present the interesting results of photodarkening (PD), transition toward photostability, and a slow crossover from PD to photobleaching when composition of the chalcogenide glassy thin film changes from Ge-deficient to rich. A subsequent Raman analysis on these as-prepared and irradiated samples provide the direct evidence of photoinduced structural rearrangement, i.e., photocrystallization of Se and the removal of edge-sharing GeSe4 tetrahedra. Further, our experimental results clearly demonstrate that light-induced effects can be effectively controlled by choosing the right composition and provide valuable information on synthesizing photostable/sensitive glasses.

Enhancing fluorescence signals from aluminium thin films and foils using polyelectrolyte multilayers

In this paper we investigate the application of polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coated metal slides in enhancing fluorescence signal. We observed around eight-fold enhancement in fluorescence for protein incubated on PEM coated on aluminium mirror surface with respect to that of functionalized bare glass slides. The fluorescence intensities were also compared with commercially available FAST (R) slides (Whatman) offering 3D immobilization of proteins and the results were found to be comparable. We also showed that PEM coated on low-cost and commonly available aluminium foils also results in comparable fluorescence enhancement as sputtered aluminium mirrors. Immunoassay was also performed, using model proteins, on aluminium mirror as well as on aluminium foil based devices to confirm the activity of proteins. This work demonstrated the potential of PEMs in the large-scale, roll-to-roll manufacturing of fluorescence enhancements substrates for developing disposable, low-cost devices for fluorescence based diagnostic methods.

Nanostructured GdxZn1-xO thin films by nebulizer spray pyrolysis technique: Role of doping concentration on the structural and optical properties

Nanostructured GdxZn1-xO thin films with different Gd concentration from 0% to 10% deposited at 400 degrees C using the NSF technique. The films were characterized by structural, surface and optical properties, respectively. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the Gd doped ZnO films have lattice parameters a = 3.2497 angstrom and c = 5.2018 angstrom with hexagonal structure and preferential orientation along (002) plane. The estimated values compare well with the standard values. When film thickness increases from 222 to 240 nm a high visible region transmittance (>70%) is observed. The optical band gap energy, optical constants (n and k), complex dielectric constants (epsilon(r), and epsilon(i)) and optical conductivities (sigma(r), and sigma(i)) were calculated from optical transmittance data. The optical band gap energy is 3.2 eV for pure ZnO film and 3.6 eV for Gd0.1Zn0.9-O film. The PL studies confirm the presence of a strong UV emission peak at 399 nm. Besides, the UV emission of ZnO films decreases with the increase of Gd doping concentration correspondingly the ultra-violet emission is replaced by blue and green emissions.

Tailoring the optical properties of amorphous heavily Er3+-doped Ge-Ga-S thin films

This study deals with the influence of Er-doping level and thermal annealing on the optical properties of amorphous Ge-Ga-S thin films. Nominal compositions of (GeS2)(75)(Ga2S3)(25) doped with high concentrations of 2.1 and 2.4 mol% Er2S3 (corresponding to 1.2 and 1.4 at% Er, respectively) have been chosen for this work. The results have been related to those obtained for the un-doped samples. The values of the refractive index, the absorption coefficient and optical band gap have been determined from the transmittance data. It has been found that the optical band gap of un-doped and 2.1 mol% Er2S3-doped films slightly increases with annealing temperature, whereas at 2.4 mol% Er2S3-doping level it is decreased. The dependences of the optical parameters on the erbium concentration and effect of annealing in the temperature range of 100-200 degrees C have been evaluated and discussed in relation to possible structural changes.

Growth-temperature dependent physical properties of SnS nanocrystalline thin films

In this article we have demonstrated the influence of growth-temperature on the morphology and orientation of SnS films deposited by thermal evaporation technique. While increasing the growth-temperature, the morphology of SnS films changed from flakes-like nanocrystals to regular cubes, whereas their orientation shifted from <111> to <040> direction. The chemical composition of SnS films gradually changed from sulfur-rich to tin-rich with the increase of growth-temperature. The structural analyzes reveal that the crystal structure of SnS films probably changes from orthorhombic to tetragonal at the growth-temperature of about 410 degrees C. Raman studies show that SnS films grown at all temperatures consist of purely SnS phase, whereas the optical studies reveal that the direct optical bandgap of SnS films decreased with the increase of growth-temperature. From these results it has been emphasized that the morphology and orientation along with electrical and optical properties of nearly stoichiometric SnS films strongly depend on their growth-temperature.

Selenium adsorption on Au(111) and Ag(111) surfaces: adsorbed selenium and selenide films

Results of a high resolution photoemission and electrochemistry study of Se adsorption Au(111) and Ag(111) surfaces performed by immersion of pristine samples into an aqeuous solution of Na2Se are presented. Cyclic voltammetry on Au shows formation of selenium adsorbed species and the structures observed in reductive desorption are to the atomic and polymeric species observed in XPS. In the case of Au(111) XPS spectra in the Se(3d) region indeed show two main features attributed to Se chemisorbed atomically and polymeric Se-8 features.' Smaller structures due to other types of Se conformations were also observed. The Au(4f) peak line, shape does not show core level, shifts: indicative of Au selenide formation the case of silver, XPS spectra for the Ag(3d) show a broadening of the peak and a deconvolution into Ag-B bulk like Ag-Se components shows that the Ag-Se is located at a lower binding energy, an effect similar to oxidation and sulfidation of Ag. The Se(3d) XPS spectrum is found to be substantially different from the Au case and dominated by atomic type Se due to the selenide, though a smaller intensity Se structure at an energy similar to the Se-8 structure for Au is also observed. Changes in the valence band region. related to Se adsorption are reported.

Structural and magnetic properties of SmCo5/Co exchange coupled nanocomposite thin films

We investigated the structural and magnetic properties of SmCo5/Co exchange coupled nanocomposite thin films grown by magnetron sputtering from Sm and Co multitargets successively. The growth of the films was carried out at elevated substrate temperature followed by in situ annealing. On Si (100) substrate, X-ray diffraction confirms the formation of textured (110) SmCo5 hard phase, whereas on MgO (110) substrate, the diffraction pattern shows the epitaxial growth of SmCo5 phase with crystalline orientation along 100] direction. Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy reveals the structural transformation from multilayered (Sm/Co) to SmCo5/Co nano-composite films due to high reactivity of Sm at elevated temperature. Transmission electron microscopy indicates the existence of nanocrystalline phase of SmCo5 along with unreacted Co. Observed single phase behavior in magnetic hysteresis measurements indicates well exchange coupling between the soft and the hard phases in these nano-composite films. For samples with samarium layer thickness, t(sm)=3.2 nm and cobalt layer thickness, t(Co)= 11.4 nm, the values of (BH)(max) were obtained as 20.1 MGOe and 12.38 MGOe with H-c value similar to 3.0 kOe grown on MgO and Si substrates, respectively.

Multi-resistance states in the electrical switching behavior of amorphous Si15Te75Ge10 thin films: Possibility of multi-bit storage

Electrical switching studies on amorphous Si15Te75Ge10 thin film devices reveal the existence of two distinct, stable low-resistance, SET states, achieved by varying the electrical input to the device. The multiple resistance levels can be attributed to multi-stage crystallization, as observed from temperature dependant resistance studies. The devices are tested for their ability to be RESET with minimal resistance degradation; further, they exhibit a minimal drift in the SET resistance value even after several months of switching. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sol-gel Processed Cu2SnS3 Films for Photovoltaics

Cu2SnS3 films have been processed by the sol-gel route. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) study was done to observe the phase transformations and to ascertain the deposition temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the phase formation of Cu2SnS3. The texture coefficient analysis shows the preferential orientation of the (112) facet. Scanning electron microscopy reveals the morphology of the film Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) was used for compositional studies. Raman spectrum shows the peaks corresponding to the tetragonal phase of Cu2SnS3.

Investigation of Magnon Assisted Resistivity in Permalloy Thin Films

Magnon contribution to the resistance of ferromagnetic film like Permalloy is investigated by magnetotransport measurements. We are able to observe and distinguish Anisotropic-Magnetoresistance(AMR)(1) and Magnon Magnetoresistance(MMR)(2) contributions clearly in PLD grown Permalloy films. A linear non-saturating longitudinal MR observed in high field regime for permalloy films could never be explained using AMR but only MMR can account for it.

Comparison of ZnO films deposited on indium tin oxide and soda lime glass under identical conditions

ZnO films have been grown via a vapour phase transport (VPT) on soda lime glass (SLG) and indium-tin oxide (ITO) coated glass. ZnO film on ITO had traces of Zn and C which gives them a dark appearance while that appears yellowish-white on SLG. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies confirm the traces of C in the form of C-O. The photoluminescence studies reveal a prominent green luminescence band for ZnO film on ITO. (C) 2013 Author(s).

Critical investigation on hydrogen bonding by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in hydrogenated amorphous silicon thin films

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic analysis has been carried out on the hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin films deposited by DC, pulsed DC (PDC) and RF sputtering process to get insight regarding the total hydrogen concentration (C-H) in the films, configuration of hydrogen bonding, density of the films (decided by the vacancy and void incorporation) and the microstructure factor (R*) which varies with the type of sputtering carried out at the same processing conditions. The hydrogen incorporation is found to be more in RF sputter deposited films as compared to PDC and DC sputter deposited films. All the films were broadly divided into two regions namely vacancy dominated and void dominated regions. At low hydrogen dilutions the films are vacancy dominated and at high hydrogen dilutions they are void dominated. This demarcation is at C-H = 23 at.% H for RF, C-H = 18 at.% H for PDC and C-H = 14 at.% H for DC sputter deposited films. The microstructure structure factor R* is found to be as low as 0.029 for DC sputter deposited films at low C-H. For a given C-H, DC sputter deposited films have low R* as compared to PDC and RF sputter deposited films. Signature of dihydride incorporation is found to be more in DC sputter deposited films at low C-H.

Influence of annealing on structural, morphological, compositional and surface properties of magnetron sputtered nickel-titanium thin films

Thin films of NiTi were deposited by DC magnetron sputtering from an equiatomic alloy target (Ni/Ti: 50/50 at.%). The films were deposited without intentional heating of the substrates. The thickness of the deposited films was approximately 2 mu m. The structure and morphology of NiTi films annealed at different temperatures were analyzed in order to understand the effect of annealing on physical properties of the films. The compositional investigations of fresh and annealed films were also evaluated by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies showed that as-deposited films were amorphous in nature whereas annealed films were found to poly-crystalline with the presence of Austenite phase as the dominant phase. AFM investigations showed higher grain size and surface roughness values in the annealed films. In annealed films, the grain size and film roughness values were increased from 10 to 85 nm and 2-18 nm. Film composition measured by EDS were found to 52.5 atomic percent of Ni and 47.5 atomic percent of Ti. XPS investigations, demonstrated the presence of Ni content on the surface of the films, in fresh films, whereas annealed films did not show any nickel. From HR-XPS investigations, it can be concluded that annealed NiTi films have higher tendency to form metal oxide (titanium dioxide) layer on the surface of the films than fresh NiTi films. (C) 2013 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.