The annealing effect on structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films produced by r.f. sputtering

In this work, a study of the structure and optical properties of undoped ZnO thin films produced by r.f. magnetron sputtering technique as a function of the growth parameters is reported. Modification under annealing conditions is also analysed. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and optical transmittance have been used. From the position of the (002) X-ray diffraction peak and the E2 (high) mode detected in Raman spectra, the residual stress both in the as-grown and in the annealed samples has been estimated.