Optical Properties of Multi-layer TiNO/AlCrNO/Al Cermet Films Using DC Magnetron Sputtering

Among many the oxynitrides, TiNO and AlCrNO, have diverse applications in different technological fields. We prepared TiNO/AlCrNO/Al thin films on aluminum substrates using the method of dc reactive magnetron sputtering. The reactive gas flow, gas mixture, and target potential were applied as the sputtering conditions during the deposition in order to control the chemical composition. The multi-layer films have been prepared in an Ar and O₂+N₂ gas mixture rate. The surface properties were estimated by performing scanning electron microscopy (SEM). At a wavelength range of 0.3~2.5 μm, the exact composition and optical properties of thin films were measured by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and Ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectrophotometry. The optimal absorptance of multi-layer films was exhibited above 95.5% in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the reflectance was achieved below 1.89%.