Abstract
Thin films of tungsten oxide and nickel oxide were deposited on $Al_2O_3/Si-substrate$ by high vacuum thermal evaporation. The properties of microstructure and crystallinity were analyzed by SEM and XRD respectively. $WO_3$ films without addition of NiO showed polycrystalline structure after annealing at $500^{\circ}C$ for SO min. There were the cracks between the polycrystalline grains and the crack width was increased with the thickness of $WO_3$ films. The cracks in the $WO_3$ films could be controlled by an optimum deposition of NiO on $WO_3$ films and either less or more than the optimum addition fails to suppress the cracks. A process mechanism to suppress the crack has been discussed.