Deposition of Conductive Titanium Sub-Oxide Films by Reactive Ion-Beam Sputtering

Abstract

ABSTRACTTitanium monoxide films were deposited on silicon by reactive ion beam sputtering from a Ti target. The film composition was measured in situ by Auger electron spectrometry. It was observed that oxygen content in the deposit does not depend on the substrate temperature, up to 600 °C. Synthesized TiO films had a cubic structure with a lattice parameter of 4.17 Å, which confirmed that the O/Ti concentration ratio in the films was very close to the expected value. The films were found to be conductive, with a resistivity value equal to 170 μΩ cm. They had a yellowish metallic appearence and a very smooth surface. Sequences of annealings at increasing temperatures were performed under ultra-high-vacuum. No AES signal from silicon was observed up to a temperature of 700 °C.