Structural, optical properties and band gap alignments of ZrOxNy thin films on Si (1 0 0) by radio frequency sputtering at different deposition temperatures

ZrOxNy thin films have been prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering at various substrate temperatures. The effect of substrate temperature on structural, optical properties and energy-band alignments of as-deposited ZrOxNy thin films are investigated. Atomic force microscopy results indicate the decreased root-mean-square (rms) values with substrate temperature. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra indicate that an interfacial layer has been formed between Si substrate and ZrOxNy thin films during deposition. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and spectroscopy ellipsometry (SE) results indicate the increased nitrogen incorporation in ZrOxNy thin films and therefore, the decreased optical band gap (Eg) values as a result of the increased valence-band maximum and lowered conduction-band minimum.