Laser ablation of AgSbS2 and cluster analysis by time-of-flight mass spectrometry

• Published in: Rapid communications in mass spectrometry 2009-06, Vol.23 (11), p.1715-1718
• Main Authors: Houška, Jan, Peña-Méndez, Eladia Maria, Kolář, Jakub, Frumar, Miloslav, Wágner, Tomáš, Havel, Josef
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0951-4198; 1097-0231
• DOI: 10.1002/rcm.4048

Thin films of AgSbS2 are important for phase‐change memory applications. This solid is deposited by various techniques, such as metal organic chemical vapour deposition or laser ablation deposition, and the structure of AgSbS2(s), as either amorphous or crystalline, is already well characterized. The pulsed laser ablation deposition (PLD) of solid AgSbS2 is also used as a manufacturing process. However, the processes in plasma have not been well studied. We have studied the laser ablation of synthesized AgSbS2(s) using a nitrogen laser of 337 nm and the clusters formed in the laser plume were identified. The ablation leads to the formation of various single charged ternary AgpSbqSr clusters. Negatively charged AgSbS 4−, AgSb2S 3−, AgSb2S 4−, AgSb2S 5− and positively charged ternary AgSbS+, AgSb2S+, AgSb2S 2+, AgSb2S 3+ clusters were identified. The formation of several singly charged Ag+, Ag 2−, Ag 3−, Sb 3+, Sb 3−, S 8+ ions and binary AgpSr clusters such as AgSb 2−, Ag3S−, SbS r− (r = 1–5), Sb2S−, Sb2S 2−, Sb3S r− (r = 1–4) and AgS 2+, SbS+, SbS 2+, Sb2S+, Sb2S 2+, Sb3S r+ (r = 1–4), AgSb 2+ was also observed. The stoichiometry of the clusters was determined via isotopic envelope analysis and computer modeling. The relation of the composition of the clusters to the crystal structure of AgSbS2 is discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.