XPS Analysis of ZnO Thin Films Obtained by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Highly c-axis oriented ZnO thin films were deposited on n-Si (111) substrate at various oxygen partial pressures by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). X-ray diffraction (XRD), Atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to analyze the influence of the oxygen partial pressure on the crystallization and morphology of the ZnO thin films. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to analyze relationships between chemical shifts of XPS energy spectra and stoichiometric ratios of ZnO thin films, and quantitative relationships between content of Zn, O and oxygen partial pressures. An optimal crystallized and stoichiometric ZnO thin film was observed at the oxygen partial pressure of 6.5Pa.