Structural and optical analysis of superimposed bismuth and antimony oxides

Bismuth trioxide and antimony trioxide were deposited by thermal vacuum evaporation one on top of the other. The temperature of the substrate during deposition was maintained at 20'C, 70'C and 120'C, respectively. Also, the deposition order of the two oxides was reversed, in order to find if there is any change in the properties of the entire two oxides structure. Their structural characteristics were studied by means of X-ray diffraction and compared to literature. The optical transmission spectra were also studied by means of the Siwanepoel and Wemple-DiDomenico methods. Clear correlations between the optical behavior and the structural changes were noticed.