Magnetron Plasma Sputtered Nanocomposite Thin Films: Structural Surface Studies by In Vacuo Photoelectron Spectroscopy
- Faculty of Physics, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 368, 11000 Belgrade (Serbia and Montenegro)
The experimental system that enables thin film deposition by chemical vapor deposition combined with magnetron sputtering and sample surface characterization by photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), without breaking the vacuum between the deposition and the characterization stage, is described. The particular goal of this work was study of the surface arrangement of embedded metallic nanoclusters of 1B group (Au, Ag, and Cu) in amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H). From the range of applied material characterization tools, we present here the results of several PES-based experiments used to reveal cluster properties at the surface: as-deposited sample PES measurements, off-normal take-off angle XPS, and in situ in-depth XPS profiling by Ar+ ion etching. Clear distinction in all PES results of the samples deposited on the grounded substrates from those deposited on -150 V dc biased ones is obtained, revealing that keeping the substrate grounded during deposition results in topmost metallic clusters covered with a very thin layer of a-C:H, while applying negative bias voltage to the substrate results in partially bald clusters on the surface.
- OSTI ID:
- 20630442
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 740; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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