Characterization and fabrication of SiOx nano-metric films, obtained by reactive sputtering

Nano-metric layers were obtained by reactive sputtering using different oxygen/argon (O/Ar) flow rates. Si and SiO targets were used to make SiO
_x
films (x≤2) and these were annealed at three different temperatures, 600 °C, 900 °C and 1100 °C during 30 minutes, in N
₂
ambient. The samples were characterized by Null Ellipsometry, Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) spectroscopy, Photoluminescence (PL) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Results show that the as deposited films are off stoichiometric silicon, which move towards stoichiometric SiO
₂
with annealing. Poor photoluminescence was found. Average roughness (S
_a
) was determined between 2 a 4 nm after thermal treatments (TT).