Boron carbon nitride films were deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering using a composite target consisting of h-BN and graphite in an Ar-N-2 gas mixture. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results suggest that the films are atomic-level hybrids composed of B, C and N atoms. The boron carbon nitride films prepared in the present experiment have a disordered structure. The sputtering power varied from 80 W to 130 W. This sputtering power was shown to have regular effect on the composition of boron carbon nitride films. The samples deposited at 80 W and 130 W are close to the stoichiometry of BC3N. The sample deposited at I 10 W is close to the stoichiometry of BCN. The samples deposited at 100 W and 120 W approach to BC2N. It is very significant for us to synthesize boron carbon nitride compound with controllable composition by changing the sputtering power. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.