Hybrid co-deposition of mixed-valent molybdenum–germanium oxides (MoxGeyOz): A route to tunable optical transmission

Mixed-valent oxides of molybdenum and germanium were deposited simultaneously using reactive magnetron co-deposition within an oxygen–argon environment. The films' stoichiometry, optical, and physical properties were varied through changes in oxygen partial pressure induced by systematic variation of the potential applied to the molybdenum cathode. The oxygen partial pressure was determined from the drop in pressure as measured by a capacitance manometer, assuming constant argon partial pressure. To facilitate deposition, a constant power of 100W DC was applied to the germanium cathode, while power was applied to the molybdenum target using a modulated pulse power supply. Modulated pulse power magnetron sputtering was used due to its ability to generate high target power densities, allowing for rapid reduction of oxygen on the surface of the “oxygen poisoned” molybdenum cathode, as well as for its highly metallic plasma resulting in increased oxygen-gettering capability. Changes in the modulated pulse power supply's capacitor bank voltage load, stepped from settings of 300 to 380V, resulted in films ranging from mixtures of transparent GeO2 (Ge4+) and MoO3 (Mo6+) to the introduction of various absorptive ionic species including Mo5+, Mo4+, Ge2+ and Ge0, as determined from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The presence of each of the aforementioned ions results in characteristic changes in the films' band energies and optical absorption. As deposited MoxGeyOz thin films grown using this method have been shown to have optical gap energies that are able to be tailored between 3.57eV and 0.18eV, spanning useful ranges for devices operating in the visible and near-infrared. •We utilize a hybrid co-sputtering approach to deposit colorful mixed oxide coatings.•Films are deposited with conventional and ionized physical vapor deposition methods.•Film optical properties are tunable through variation of applied cathode voltage.•MoxGeyOz films have optical gaps that can be tailored between 3.57 and 0.18eV.