Amorphous copper sulfide films deposited by pulsed laser deposition using pellets as target

CuS films were grown onto soda-lime glass substrates by pulsed laser deposition at two different wavelengths: 1064 and 532 nm, using pellets as targets. Results are presented as a function of target-substrate distance. Structural characterization revealed that amorphous films were obtained. Although, XRD patterns indicate that covellite and chalcocite phases were obtained in one sample. Raman spectra showed that slight short distance order is induced for decreasing target-substrate distance. Optical band gap values are between 2.34 and 2.48 eV for the ablation with a wavelength of 1064 nm, while samples grown at 532 nm, values varied from 2.30 to 2.43 eV, which are in the range of expected values for CuS. Films grown at 532 nm and a target–substrate distance of 2 cm presented the highest optical absorbance in the visible range and the highest thickness.