Electronic structure of LixNiOy thin films

In this work, thin films of LixNiOy were deposited by rf reactive magnetron sputtering, from a LiNiO2 target. The composition of the films was analyze d by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. The electronic structure was a nalyzed by photoelectron spectroscopy, using either X-ray (Al K alpha) or s ynchrotron light (120 eV). X-ray diffraction showed a clear presence of Li2 CO3 in the target material, after some deposition runs. The presence of sup erficial Lithium carbonate was also evidenced, for all films. (C) 2001 Else vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.