Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
We have grown gallium nitride (GaN), aluminum nitride (AIN) and boron nitride (BN) thin films by mass separated ion beam deposition. All deposited films were found to be almost stoichiometric. AIN and GaN films are crystalline even after room temperature deposition whereas for the formation of crystalline boron nitride temperatures above 150°C are necessary. The influence on the phase formation and the film structure of ion energy and substrate temperature on the one hand, and bond ionicity on the other hand, was investigated for these three systems.