Abstract
We investigated the influence of oxygen deficiency on the Fermi level (EF) of ZnO thin film prepared by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). For this purpose, we adopted in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. The oxygen deficiency was effectively controlled by varying the oxygen partial pressure [P (O2)] during the PLD. The EF shifted by +0.6 eV as the P (O2) decreased from 10 to 3.3 Pa. This shift indicates a significant change in the energy balance in the oxygen-deficient ZnO films. This fact suggests that the very large change in the resistivity of ZnO thin films resulting from the oxygen deficiency could be attributed to the EF shift rather than grain boundary formation in the ZnO film.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 201907 |
Journal | Applied Physics Letters |
Volume | 96 |
Issue number | 20 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 17 May 2010 |