Exploration of thermal stability of Ag(Al) films in air by evolutions of surface morphology and optic-electric properties

Abstract Here, the thermal stability of Ag(Al) films in air has been explored by the evolutions of surface morphology and optic-electric properties with annealing temperatures. The results show that the thermal stability of Ag films in air has been improved significantly by adding Al forming Ag(Al) films deposited on glass substrates by co-evaporation. In this experiment, optic-electric properties of Ag(Al) films are stable annealed between 400 and 600 °C for 1 h in air. Until the annealing temperature up to 700 °C, the slight agglomeration appeared in surface only results in the dramatic drop of surface reflectance. It is further found the evident concentration gradient of as-deposited film promotes mostly the distribution of Al gradually uniform and relays Ag agglomeration, meanwhile some Ag gently agglomerates in surface. After achieving a balance, the slight Ag agglomeration is formed in surface.