Transmission electron microscopy study of the structure of radio frequency sputter-deposited yttria-stabilized zirconia thin films

摘要

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to investigate the structural properties of sputter-deposited yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thin films. YSZ films were deposited over a range of temperatures and background oxygen levels. Additionally, a multilayered structure was produced by cyclic application of a substrate bias. Plan-view TEM showed that temperature and oxygen levels did not have a significant effect on grain size but did alter the phases present in the thin films. Cross-sectional TEM showed the development of texture in the multilayer film, both within the individual layers and in the entire film.