Thin film coatings (<1 μm) can be found in numerous applications including wear-resistant coatings for tools, electrical interconnects on circuit boards, and antireflective coatings for optics to list a few. The properties of materials can vary significantly between bulk and thin films, and in fact many properties can only be observed in thin films. For example, electrical charge carrier concentrations can be changed in semiconductors in thin film form by application of a voltage bias. Computer hard drives utilize magnetoresistive read head technology based on spin valves created by ultra-thin magnetic multilayers. The differences between bulk and thin films can be attributed not only to the reduced dimensionality of films but also to factors such as film-substrate interactions, as well as the deposition method and conditions. Aside from the differences in properties resulting from a physical dimension, thin films can provide high purity materials that are quasi-single crystal in nature. These samples can be used to understand the fundamental intrinsic properties of these solids. For example, such oriented films allow for the investigation of possible anisotropic properties.

The binary carbides are refractory materials with a variety of desirable properties, including high stiffness and hardness. However, a new class of ternary carbides, known as the MAX phases, has drawn recent interest. These compounds, such as Ti3SiC2, have shown interesting and unique combinations of properties, including high electrical and thermal conductivities with high thermal shock resistance, as well as excellent oxidation and chemical resistance. Currently, more than 50 different MAX phases have been synthesized in bulk. While there has been significant advancement in the deposition and application of binary carbide thin-film coatings, only a handful of the MAX phases have been synthesized as thin films. The blend of metal and ceramic-like properties of these ternary carbides makes them ideal candidates for a variety of applications such as electrical contacts and industrial coatings.

In this presentation, motivation for a systematic investigation of synthesis conditions of MAX-phase films is provided along with some preliminary results including the synthesis of Nb2AlC epitaxial films. Preliminary results of measurements of tribological and electrical properties will be presented. Additionally, a plan for applying combinatorial techniques to materials research will be outlined which will take advantage of elemental mixing on the M and A sites.

[loc] Hill Conference [/loc]