Effect of evaporation rate and substrate temperature on optical, structural, and electrical properties of ZnTe:Sb films deposited by thermal evaporation of Zn, Te, and Sb sources

Antimony (Sb)-doped ZnTe films were deposited onto amorphous glass substrates via thermal evaporation of elemental sources. This study aims to investigate the effects of the Sb evaporation rate and glass substrate temperature on the various physical properties of the prepared films. Structural analysis was conducted using X-ray diffraction, and the elemental composition was determined using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy attached to a scanning electron microscope. Optical transmittance spectra, recorded across the 400–2,000 nm wavelength range, were used to assess the film thickness, surface roughness, refractive index, and optical bandgap. DC conductivity measurements were performed under vacuum within a temperature range of 30–170°C. The results showed a significant increase in the conductivity of the films (by several orders of magnitude), accompanied by a clear change in the optical properties as a result of increasing Sb content in the films. Additionally, the substrate temperature was found to have a substantial effect on the physical characteristics of the films.