Influence of film/substrate interface structure on plasticity in metal thin films

G. Dehm, B. J. Inkson, T. J. Balk, T. Wagner, E. Arzt

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

In-situ transmission electron microscopy studies of metal thin films on substrates indicate that dislocation motion is influenced by the structure of the film/substrate interface. For Cu films grown on silicon substrates coated with an amorphous SiNx diffusion barrier, the transmission electron microscopy studies reveal that dislocations are pulled towards the interface, where their contrast finally disappears. However, in epitaxial Al films deposited on single-crystalline α-Al2O3 substrates, threading dislocations advance through the layer and deposit dislocation segments adjacent to the interface. In this latter case, the interface is between two crystalline lattices. Stresses in epitaxial Al films and polycrystalline Cu films were determined by substrate-curvature measurements. It was found that, unlike the polycrystalline Cu films, the flow stresses in the epitaxial Al films are in agreement with a dislocation-based model.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)P2.6.1-P2.6.12
JournalMaterials Research Society Symposium - Proceedings
Volume673
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001
EventDislocations and Deformation Mechanics in Thin Films and Small Structures - San Francisco, CA, United States
Duration: Apr 17 2001Apr 19 2001

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Financial support by the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), The British Council and The Royal Society is gratefully acknowledged.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Influence of film/substrate interface structure on plasticity in metal thin films'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this