Crystalline b-Ga2O3 thin films deposited via reactive magnetron sputtering of a liquid Ga target

TL;DR

This study systematically investigates how deposition conditions affect the structural and electrical properties of Ga2O3 thin films produced by reactive magnetron sputtering from a liquid gallium target.

Contribution

It demonstrates the ability to optimize Ga2O3 thin film properties through substrate choice and temperature control during reactive magnetron sputtering.

Findings

Sapphire substrates enable highly oriented b-Ga2O3 growth.

Lowest resistivity achieved was 7x10^3 ohm.cm at 585°C on sapphire.

Higher temperatures cause inhomogeneous crystallization and property deterioration.

Abstract

Ga2O3 thin films were deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering from a liquid gallium target. The influence of deposition temperature, substrate type, and discharge parameters on the structural and electrical properties was systematically investigated. Films deposited on silicon and quartz glass exhibit polycrystalline growth, whereas sapphire substrates enable highly oriented growth of b-Ga2O3 with a preferred (-201) orientation. The lowest electrical resistivity of 7x10_3 ohm.cm was obtained for films deposited on sapphire at a temperature of 585C. At this temperature, the films reach sufficient crystalline quality to enable efficient charge carrier transport and thus the manifestation of unintentional conductivity. At higher deposition temperatures, pronounced crystallization occurs; however, it is not homogeneous throughout the entire film thickness, which leads to a deterioration of the electrical properties. These results demonstrate that, despite intrinsic limitations, reactive magnetron sputtering can be successfully employed for the preparation of Ga2O3 thin films with optimized electrical properties when appropriate substrates and deposition temperatures are selected.