Microstructural and Optical Properties of Zinc Doped Copper Oxide Thin Films

Thin films of pure and zinc doped copper oxide were prepared using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The effect of zinc concentration on microstructural and optical properties of thin films was analyzed. Microstructural analyses showed the presence of monoclinic CuO phase and compressive stresses. Micrographs showed smooth surface morphology free from micron-sized particles. The optical band gap energies were found to be dependent on Zn doping. Consequently it was observed that Zn doping induced stresses had strong effect on microstructure and optical properties of copper oxide thin films.