Characterization of Ultrathin Conductive Films Using a Simplified Approach for Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopic Ellipsometry

We present two ideas to simplify the measurement and analysis of terahertz time-domain spectroscopic ellipsometry data of ultrathin films. The measurement is simplified by using a specially designed sample holder with mirrors, which can be mounted on a cryostat. It allows us to perform spectroscopic ellipsometry by simply inserting the holder into a conventional terahertz spectroscopy system for measurements in transmission geometry. The analysis of the obtained data is simplified by considering a single interface with a certain sheet conductivity \({\sigma }_{s}\) ${\sigma }_s$ (since the film thickness is significantly smaller than the wavelength of the terahertz light). We demonstrate the application of these ideas by evaluating the sheet conductivities of two perovskite rare-earth nickelate thin films in the temperature range 78–478 K. The use of this particular analytical method and the sample holder design will help to establish terahertz time-domain spectroscopic ellipsometry as a characterization technique for ultrathin films.