Iron pyrite films prepared by sulfur vapor transport

Iron films deposited via thermal evaporation, with a thickness between 100 and 250 nm, were converted into FeS2 by open sulfur transport using nitrogen as a gas vector. The films thus obtained constituted a single pyrite phase and were optically highly absorbing. The sulfurization process was optimized. As a result, sample temperature and conversion time were found to be the major determining parameters. The films were characterized using several methods. The crystallinity and phase identification were determined by X-ray diffractometry. Scanning electron microscopy showed a homogeneous surface of both iron and pyrite layers. Optical transmission measurements confirmed the highly absorbing character of FeS, and allowed the determination of direct (1.35 eV) and indirect (0.82 eV) transitions.