Morpho-structural and optoelectronic properties of diamond like carbon–germanium (DLC-Ge) composite thin films produced by magnetron sputtering

Diamond-like carbon films have found various areas of application due to their particularly durable characteristics. To enhance the electrical and optoelectronic characteristics of the material, diamond-like carbon was co-deposited with Ge on p-type Si wafer using the DC magnetron sputtering technique, from which diamond-like carbon-germanium nanocomposites were obtained. The structural properties of the nanocomposites were assessed using electron microscopy techniques. The chemical structure of the nanocomposite films was confirmed using energy dispersive spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The electrical properties of the nanocomposite films were investigated via various electrical parameters as determined through current-voltage, capacitance–voltage, and conductance–voltage graphs. Photoresponsive and photosensitivity properties were also assessed using a solar simulator at various illumination intensities. It was concluded that nanocomposite thin films were responsive to light, where photosensitivity and photoresponsivity increased with increasing illumination intensity. The electrical characteristics of the nanocomposite films were associated with the frequency of the AC voltage applied.