Optical Properties of Silica-Copper Oxide Thin Films Prepared by Spin Coating

Abstract: Optical properties of copper oxide nanoparticles in a silica matrix thin film have been investigated. Films were prepared on Si substrates from a sol-gel by spin coating. Four samples with different thicknesses, from 14,5-109 nm, were fabricated. Optical properties were measured with Variable Angle Spectroscopic Ellipsometry. The aim of the project was to gain further understanding of these films that are interesting in applications for solar absorbers as solar selective coatings. Ellipsometricangles Ψ and Δ were measured in the wavelength range from 250-1700 nm. A dispersion model was developed and fitted to experimental data with acceptable results.