The difference in the operational properties between r.f. conventional
diode (CD) and planar magnetron (PM) sputterings has been studied. Th
e PM mode of operation is obtained by setting a circular permanent mag
net on a copper plate back of the target electrode in the CD apparatus
. The direct-current self-bias potential generated at the cathode for
the PM mode of operation is found to be about an order smaller than th
at for the CD mode. InSb epitaxial films have been grown on (0001) sap
phire substrates by the CD and PM modes of operation The deposition I-
ate for the PM mode of operation is about an order larger than that fo
r the CD mode. Spectroscopic-ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy
data are presented to show that the PM-deposited InSb film has a relat
ively gentle, terraced surface while the CD-deposited film has a rough
ened surface with the emergence of deep hollows. It is also found that
the Hall mobility in the PM-deposited film is considerably higher tha
n that in the CD-deposited one.