Abstract
Optical and mechanical characteristics of $TiO-2, ZrO_2 \;and\; SiO_xN_y$ thin films prepared by ion assisted deposition (IAD) were investigated. IAD films were bombarded by Ar or nitrogen ion beam from a Kaufman ion source while they were grown in as e-beam evaporator. The result shows that the Ae IAD increases the refractive index and packing density of $TiO_2 films close to those of the bulk. For $ZrO_2$ films the Ar IAD increases the average refractive index decreases the negative inhomogeneity of refractive index and reverses to the positive inhomogeneity. The optical properties result from improved packing density and denser outer layer next to air The Ar-ion bombardment also induces the changes in microstructure of $ZrO_2$ films such as the preferred (111) orientation of cubic phase increase in compressive stress and reduction of surface roughness. Inhomogeneous refractive index SiOxNy films were also prepared by nitrogen IAD and variable refractive index of $SiO_xN_y$ film was applied to fabricate a rugate filter.