The samples thickness, measured by ball cratering, and the
atomic composition determined by RBS are given in Table 1. A
closer look of these results indicates three distinct zones of the
composition of the thin films. The films deposited with reactive
gas flow lower than 10 sccm present a non-metal to zirconium
atomic ratio less than one, with a constant increase of the
oxygen and nitrogen content. With further increase of the reactive
gas flow (10–14 sccm) the samples present an (N + O)/Zr
atomic ratio varying from 1.17 to 1.44 with further increases in
the oxygen content resulting in approximately the same nitrogen
content. For the sample deposited with the highest reactive gas
flow (15 sccm), there is a stabilization of the non-metal to metal
atomic ratio. When compared to the sample produced with a 14 sccm flow, a substantial increase in the oxygen content, is
observed compared to samples prepared with lower gas flow.
This evolution, observed for higher flow rates, with an abrupt
increase in the oxygen content when the non-metal to metal
atomic ratio is kept almost constant, suggests a change in the
structural arrangement of the coatings, as we will discuss in this
paper