Surface analysis of a-$Si_{x}C_{1-x}$: H deposited by RF plasma-enhanced CVD

Thin films of hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide compounds ($a-Si_{x}C_{1-x}:H$) of different compositions were deposited on Si substrate by RF plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Experiments were carried out using silane (SiH$_4$) and methane ($CH_4$) as the gas precursors at 1 Torr and at a low substrate temperature ($250^{\circ}C$). The gas flow rate was changed with the other parameters (pressure, temperature, RF power) fixed. The substrate was Si(100) wafer and all of the films obtained were amorphous. The bonding structure of $a-Si_{x}C_{1-x}:H$films deposited was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for the film compositions. In addition, the surface morphology of films was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM).