Surface-dependent conductivity, transition type, and band structure in amorphous indium tin oxide films

Amorphous indium tin oxide thin films on polymers exhibit an interesting substrate morphology effect on conductivity, optical transition types and band structure. The relation between conductivity and surface roughness is well explained by a simplified film system model with a square potential. The transition types originated from the optical transmittance spectra is found to be inconsistent in ITO films on different polymers. Furthermore, the band structures are calculated to make the substrate-dependent conductivity and optical properties more visually.