Pole figure analysis of epitaxial films of ZnO:2wt%Al grown on sapphire substrates by RF magnetron sputtering

Aluminium-doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Al) films have been grown on c-plane (001) and a-plane (110) sapphire by RF magnetron sputtering from a ceramic target. The films grew epitaxially, even at room temperature, However, the crystalline quality depends both on the substrate temperature as well as on the sapphire orientation. The best films, proved by X-ray diffraction (rocking curves and pole figure measurements) were grown on (110)-oriented sapphire in the temperature range 473 to 773 K. The minimum rocking curve half width was about 0.75degrees. By Rutherford backscattering analysis it could be shown, that the films exhibit a significant variation of the defect density over the film thickness. The highest density, as expected, is observed at the interface sapphire/ZnO:Al. Films grown on (001)-oriented sapphire have higher rocking curve half widths (about 1.3degrees) and exhibit sometimes two types of domains in the same film rotated by 30degrees.