AlxIn1-xN (AlInN) films with x=0.36 and 0.55 were grown on glass substrate by pulsed direct-current reactive sputtering. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth profiles revealed that oxygen diffused from glass substrate to AlInN films at temperatures >= 300 degrees C. After applying AlN buffer layer, the crystallinity of AlInN films was markedly improved without oxygen contamination observed. The AlN-buffered AlInN films are c-axis-oriented with low full-width-at-half-maximum of 2.9 degrees-3.5 degrees, fine-grained, and low electron concentration, which are comparable with AlInN films grown by other high-temperature processes. AlN buffer layer is proved to be good seeding and diffusion-barrier layers for AlInN films deposited on glass substrates. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.