Transparent conductive oxides TCO

The staff of the Optical Systems and Applications department have been researching and developing transparent and simultaneously conductive materials – so-called TCOs (transparent conductive oxides) – for more than 20 years.

Their work is concentrated on the optimization of the material properties of TCOs, e.g. conductivity, light transmission and surface roughness. The focus is directed in particular at adaptation for customer-specific applications. This ranges from process and material development on small laboratory systems through to the transfer to in-line large-area deposition with controlled sputtering processes, for example for solar cells or switchable systems in the field of architectural glass coating.

Should you have any specific questions or coating requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us.

In classical TCOs, conductivity is usually generated in crystalline, transparent materials through the introduction of a doping agent. A selection of such n-conductive TCOs are:

Indium oxide (In₂O₃:Sn, In₂O₃:Mo, In₂O₃:Ti, In₂O₃:H)
Zinc oxide (ZnO:Al, ZnO:Ga, ZnO:Ti)
Tin oxide (SnO₂:F, SnO₂:Sb, SnO₂:Ta, SnO₂:Nb)
Titanium oxide (TiO₂:Nb)

As a rule, we deposit such materials for the formation of a high-quality crystalline structure at elevated substrate temperature or use a process with subsequent temperature treatment, e.g. in the cases of In₂O₃:H (IOH) and TiO₂:Nb (TNO).

A further comparatively new class is amorphous TCO materials. These are based on mixtures of two or three oxides which contain heavy metal cations with the electronic configuration (n-1)d¹⁰ns⁰. As a result of the outer spherical s-orbitals, these form a strongly delocalized conduction band with high charge-carrier mobility. These TCOs are characterized by good conductivity and high transmission, particularly in the near-infrared (NIR) range. Furthermore, they can be deposited at room temperature. Well-known representatives of these materials include indium zinc oxide (InZnO, IZO) and indium gallium zinc oxide (InGaZnO, IGZO).

Selected application examples for our TCO coatings

ITO coatings for the best performance

Substrate temperature T_Sub= 350°C
Specific resistance ρ = 157 µΩcm
Layer thickness e.g. 175 nm ⇒ T_visual ≈ 87 %, sheet resistance R_sh = 9 Ω

ITO coatings for delicate substrates

Substrate temperature T_Sub = room temperature
Specific resistance ρ = 815 µΩcm
Layer thickness e.g. 148 nm ⇒ T_visual≈ 85.5 %, sheet resistance R_sh = 55 Ω

ITO coatings for ”coat and bend” processes

Coating at room temperature with subsequent tempering
Specific resistance ρ ≈ 300 µΩcm
Layer thickness e.g. 140 nm ⇒ T_visual = 86 %, sheet resistance R_sh = 21 Ω
The substrate can be bent during the tempering process. The film does not tear (coat and bend process). The mechanical and chemical protection of the substrate is improved.
Coating complex components such as glass tubes is possible

IZO coatings for high infrared transmission

Substrate temperature T_Sub = room temperature
Specific resistance ρ = 479 µΩcm
Layer thickness e.g. 94.6 nm ⇒ T_visuell ≈ 79.5 %, sheet resistance R_sh = 50.6 Ω

We offer research and development services for TCOs, e.g. for the following applications: structured TCOs ( by means of photolithography or laser), heating layers, switchable glasses, thin-film transistor displays (TFT), touchscreens, low-emissivity coatings (low-e), thermal-insulation coatings, light-emitting diodes (LED, OLED), solar cells, thin-film transistors, thin-glass, foil and architectural glass coatings. We would also be delighted to assist you with complete new developments.