Fabrication and Characterization of Ni-Cr Alloy Thin Films for Application to Precision Thin Film Resistors

Ni(75 wt.%)-Cr(20 wt.%)-Al(3 wt.%)-Mn(4 wt.%)-Si(1 wt.%) alloy thin films were prepared using the DC magnetron sputtering process by varying the sputtering conditions such as power, pressure, substrate temperature, and post-deposition annealing temperature in order to fabricate a precision thin film resistor. For all the thin film resistors, sheet resistance, temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR), and crystallinity were analyzed and the effects of sputtering conditions on their properties were also investigated. The oxygen content and TCR of Ni-Cr-Al-Mn-Si resistors were decreased by increasing the sputtering pressure. Their sheet resistance, TCR, and crystallinity were enhanced by elevating the substrate temperature. In addition, the annealing of the resistor thin films in air at a temperature higher than $300^{\circ}C$ lead to a remarkable rise in their sheet resistance and TCR. This may be attributed to the improved formation of NiO layer on the surface of the resistor thin film at an elevated temperature.