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CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION OF THIN FILM MATERIALS FOR ...

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experiments at a deposition temperature of 700˚C on both MgAl2O4 (100) and MgO (100)<br />

substrates. The first experiment involves film growth without any oxygen flow (just the argon<br />

carrier gas). Film growth by thermal decomposition of the metal chelate precursors occurs in the<br />

absence of oxygen.[108] However, as can be seen from the SEM micrograph image in Fig.39 (a),<br />

the as-deposited film shows a very porous structure. EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray<br />

Spectroscopy) analysis reveals the presence of a significant excess of Fe than in stoichiometric<br />

nickel ferrite, along with trace amounts of carbon (< 2%). The porous structure is likely related<br />

to incomplete decomposition together with the slow kinetics of the surface reaction and/or<br />

desorption of the by-products. Based on thermal stability studies of the precursors, the<br />

preferential incorporation of iron may be attributed to the lower thermal stability of Fe(acac)3<br />

than Ni(acac)2.[156-158] The effect of high oxygen flow rate, double of what is needed for<br />

growth of smooth and stoichiometric films (Table 4), is studied in the second control experiment.<br />

As shown in Fig.39(b), a relatively smooth and dense film is obtained. The correct chemical<br />

composition (Ni:Fe = 1:2) is obtained under this condition. However, small particles (10-100 nm<br />

range) are observed on the film surface. The particulate formation can be attributed to gas phase<br />

nucleation, which is a common and undesirable feature in CVD reactions, especially at high<br />

reaction pressures. Particulates buried in the film during growth can result in crystalline defects<br />

and thus influence the physical properties. It is noteworthy that the film growth rate does not<br />

increase with the increased oxygen flow rate. Comparing the results of these two experiments,<br />

the oxygen flow influences the thin film growth kinetics and helps balance the deposition rates of<br />

Ni and Fe. It is likely that more of lower molecular weight volatile products, such as CO2, are<br />

generated in the presence of oxygen and thus minimize the problem of blocked surface<br />

adsorption sites. Based on mass spectrometry studies Igumenov et al. [159] suggest that the<br />

79

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