Direct current magnetron sputtering and evaporation have been used to form
thin films with a columnar structure having a chevron-like morphology. This
type of morphology is one of the possible types present in sculptured thin
films. The tilt angle of the columnar grains was controlled by variation o
f the angle of incidence of the depositing species, and by carrying out the
deposition at a number of different angles of incidence films having a che
vron-like microstructure were formed. Films of copper, aluminium and alumin
a were produced by the technique described here, it is demonstrated that un
der certain conditions it is possible to grow films that are virtually free
of renucleation at the planes where the atom flux changes direction (kink
planes). The morphology of the individual grains in the chevron-like films
agrees with the zone model developed for more conventional films. The chevr
on structures were also quite visible in amorphous films, and in this case
the 'grain boundaries' consist of regions of lower density. A few examples
of potential applications for these chevron films are discussed.