OPTICAL AND ELECTRICAL-PROPERTIES OF VANADIUM PENTOXIDE THIN-FILMS

Electrochromic vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) thin films are prepared by th e physical vapour deposition method using an electron beam gun. The tr ansmission spectra of V2O5 thin films are measured and studied before and after UV irradiation. It is observed that the optical transmission minimum which occurs at 320 nm does not change with irradiation. The measurement of optical band gaps of V2O5 thin films before and after i rradiation shows that the band gap increases due to irradiation. The e lectrical conductivity of the films as a function of time of irradiati on is found to decrease rapidly and reaches a steady value with time w hen the irradiation is cut off. V2O5 thin films can be used for storin g optical information and for development of optical memory switching devices. Activation energies for different thicknesses of thin films a re reported.