Optical properties of cadmium sulfide thin films, chemically deposited from baths containing surfactants

• Published in: Thin solid films Vol. 349; no. 1-2; pp. 67 - 70
• Main Authors: POPESCU, V, PICA, E. M, POP, I, GRECU, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier Science 30.07.1999
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Ii-vi semiconductors; Liquid phase epitaxy; deposition from liquid phases (melts, solutions, and surface layers on liquids); Materials science; Methods of deposition of films and coatings; film growth and epitaxy; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Optical properties of specific thin films; Physics; Crystal growth; Additives; Inorganic compounds; Semiconductor materials; Transition element compounds; Cadmium sulfides; Binary compounds; Surfactants; Experimental study; Fabrication property relation; Growth from liquid; Thin films; Optical transmission; Optical properties; Infrared radiation
• ISSN: 0040-6090; 1879-2731
• DOI: 10.1016/s0040-6090(99)00177-7

Optically clear CdS films as thick as 0.05 - 0.35 mu m were deposited on glass supports. The composition of the baths was CdCl sub(2) 1-2.5x10 super(-3) M, thiourea 1-2.5x10 super(-2) M and NH sub(3) 0.65-1.70 M, in the presence of surfactants such as polyethylene glycol 600 or ether sulfate 12-14, at temperatures of 40-60 degree C. For the first time, the influence of these surfactants on the growth kinetics of CdS thin films was studied. These evidently decreased the reaction rate, leading to the obtaining of good quality films. Their optical properties were studied. A film of about 0.2 mu m in thickness decreases the near-IR transmittance of the support by 20-25%. The visible transmittance varies between 40-80% and the near-IR reflectance is limited to 13-22%.