Open AccessLow-temperature deposition of BaCuSF, a visible through mid-infrared p-type transparent conductor
Author(s) -
Jesse A. Frantz,
Vinh Nguyen,
Antti Mäkinen,
S. B. Qadri,
Jason D. Myers,
J. S. Sanghera
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.21.030674
Subject(s) - materials science , conductivity , band gap , infrared , thin film , semiconductor , transmittance , visible spectrum , deposition (geology) , substrate (aquarium) , optoelectronics , optics , analytical chemistry (journal) , nanotechnology , chemistry , physics , paleontology , oceanography , chromatography , sediment , geology , biology
Barium copper sulfur fluoride (BaCuSF) is a p-type transparent conductor (p-TC) that, when doped with potassium, exhibits exceptionally high conductivity. The results of a detailed optical and electronic characterization of BaCuSF thin films deposited at a substrate temperature of 100 °C are presented. X-ray diffractometry shows the presence of a cubic BaCuSF phase. Spectroscopic measurements demonstrate that the films transmit from the visible through the mid-infrared with a band gap of 1.8 eV. Hall measurements indicate that the material is a degenerate semiconductor. As deposited, the films exhibit conductivity at room temperature of approximately 260 S/cm - among the highest reported room temperature conductivities for p-TCs. After post-deposition treatment in water, their conductivity increases to as high as 800 S/cm, and their band gap is reduced to 1.5 eV. The potential for low temperature deposition of p-type films with high conductivity and optical transmittance makes BaCuSF promising for several applications including flexible electronics and photovoltaics.