Effects of assisting ions on the structural and plasmonic properties of ZrN _x thin films

Abstract

Plasmonic ZrN x thin films were prepared by ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD). The effects of the assisting ion current (I a ), assisting ion energy (E a ) and the partial flow rate ratio of N 2 / Ar (r) on the structure and dielectric properties of the films were investigated. The results show that all the films are fcc-structured, and the IBAD films exhibit a preferred fcc-(1 1 1) orientation. Nitrogen content of the films can be improved by higher E a and r, and reduced by higher I a . Higher I a , E a or r can reduce the crossover frequency ω c at which the films turn from dielectric to metallic phase, and reduce the loss function of the films. Moreover, the plasmonic quality factor can also be modulated by these parameters. The main mechanism of the modulation is the variation of the carrier concentration in the films. Our study demonstrates that the IBAD-ZrN x thin films have considerable plasmonic performances, and their dielectric and plasmonic properties can be modulated from visible to near infrared region by assisting ion beam.

Zirconium Nitride: Optical Properties of an Emerging Intermetallic for Plasmonic Applications

“…[19][20][21][22] Another member of the nitrides family, ZrN, has gained little attention, as only a few reports concern its optical properties; however, it is also a binary intermetallic compound showing similar features to TiN and exhibiting a gold-colored appearance. [23][24][25][26] Motivated by the aforementioned, we intend to investigate the optical response of ZrN in several well-known geometries and evaluate its plasmonics performance in such structures.…”

Advances in ultra-high temperature ceramics, composites, and coatings

“…Nitrides such as ZrN and HfN have similarly strong covalent bonds [59] but their refractory nature makes them especially difficult to synthesize and process. The stoichiometric nitrogen content can be varied in these complexes and relates to their synthetic techniques [63][64][65]. Boride UHTCs, such as HfB 2 and ZrB 2 , benefit from very strong bonding between boron atoms as well as strong metal to boron bonds; the hexagonal close-packed structure with alternating two-dimensional (2D) boron and metal sheets gives these materials high and anisotropic strength as single crystals (Fig.…”

Structure, stability and electronic properties of zirconium nitride nanoclusters

“…These include properties like oxidation and orientation of coatings at high temperatures, change of colour of the coating and nanostructural and nanomechanical properties of ZrN with continuous N 2 flow, barrier coatings in case of nuclear analysis, compatibility as human body implants, electrical, electronic and optical behaviours [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. In recent years, ZrN has been marked as an alternative and preferred material for plasmonic applications along with titanium nitride due to its superiority over conventional noble metals like gold and silver [27][28][29].…”