Effect of the duty ratio on the indium tin oxide (ITO) film deposited by in-line pulsed DC magnetron sputtering method for resistive touch panel

The indium tin oxide (ITO) film was deposited on PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film using in-line pulsed DC magnetron sputtering system with different duty ratios. The reverse time and the frequency of pulsed DC power were changed to obtain the different duty ratios. From the electrical and optical properties such as the sheet resistance, resistivity, thickness and transmittance, the pulsed DC sputtered ITO/PET films were also superior to the DC sputtered ITO/PET films. The reverse time had little effect on the properties of the ITO/PET film and the frequency of pulsed DC power had an immerse effect on the properties of the ITO/PET films. The optimal ITO/PET film was obtained when the frequency was 200 kHz, the reverse time was 1 μs, and the duty ratio was about 80%.

► The ITO film was deposited on PET using in-line pulsed DC magnetron sputtering system. ► The reverse time and the frequency of pulsed DC were used to change duty ratios. ► The optimal ITO/PET film was obtained when the duty ratio was about 80%.