Properties of Gallium Phosphide Thick Films Prepared on Zinc Sulfide Substrates by Radio-Frequency Magnetron Sputtering

Radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering was employed to prepare gallium phosphide (GaP) thick films on zinc sulfide (ZnS) substrates by sputtering a single crystalline GaP target in an Ar atmosphere. The infrared (IR) transmission properties, structure, morphology, composition and hardness of the film were studied. Results show that both amorphous and zinc-blende crystalline phases existed in the GaP film in almost stoichiometric amounts. The GaP film exhibited good IR transmission properties, though the relatively rough surface and loose microstructure caused a small loss of IR transmission due to scattering. The GaP film also showed a much higher hardness than the ZnS substrate, thereby providing good protection to ZnS.