The Influence of Strengthening Mechanisms on Stress Relaxation in Thin Aluminum Metallization

1996 ◽  
Vol 436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Gorrell ◽  
Paul Holloway ◽  
Hal Jerman
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Stress Relaxation ◽  
Microelectromechanical Systems ◽  
Pure Aluminum ◽  
Age Hardening ◽  
Strengthening Mechanisms ◽  
Solid Solution Strengthening ◽  
Elastic Stresses ◽  
Aluminum Metallization ◽  
Sputter Deposited

AbstractWith the development of microelectromechanical systems there is a need for stronger aluminum thin films that resist stress relaxation. A number of strengthening mechanisms are used extensively for bulk aluminum alloys, but very few have been used to improve the performance of thin films. Pure aluminum, standard microelectronicsmetallization (A1-.04Cu-.017Si), alloy T201 (Al-.046Cu-.006Ag-.004Mn-.003Mg-.003Ti), and alloy 2090 (Al-.026Cu-.021Li-.001Zr) were electron beam evaporated or sputter deposited onto (100) silicon substrates.. Stress versus temperature and stress relaxation were measured in the films. Pure aluminum and AlSiCu alloy films exhibited plastic deformation at low stresses and low temperatures. The T201 and 2090 films exhibited residual elastic stresses at room temperature of 350 MPa and 500 MPa, and did not plastically deform until 240°C at 100 MPa stress, or 270°C at 200 MPa stress, respectively. The T201 film also showed a low stress relaxation rate. We speculate that solid solution strengthening caused the increase in strength of the T201 film, and that age hardening caused the increase in strength of the 2090 film.

Impact of Sputter Deposition Parameters on the Leakage Current Behavior of Aluminum Nitride Thin Films

2012 ◽  
Vol 77 ◽  
pp. 29-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Schneider ◽  
Tobias Strunz ◽  
Achim Bittner ◽  
Ulrich Schmid
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Aluminum Nitride ◽  
Leakage Current ◽  
Microelectromechanical Systems ◽  
Constant Electric Field ◽  
Strong Negative Correlation ◽  
Axis Orientation ◽  
Sputter Deposited ◽  
Current Behavior

In microelectromechanical systems, piezoelectric aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films are commonly used as functional material for sensing and actuating purposes. This is due to excellent dielectric properties as well as a high chemical and thermal stability of AlN. In this work, we investigate the leakage current behavior (i.e. IV characteristic and charging behavior) of AlN thin films sputter deposited at varying plasma powers (300 W – 800 W) and deposition pressures (4 µbar – 8 µbar) up to an electric field of 0.5 MV/cm. First results show a Poole-Frenkel behavior for all samples with an increase in leakage current by orders of magnitude as the degree of c-axis orientation decreases. In addition, the discharging curves (i.e. meaning the current discharge after an applied constant electric field) agree well with the empirical Curie - von Schweidler Law (I(t) = I0 + I1t-n) and an increase of the parameter I1 with temperature is observed. I1 shows qualitatively the same behavior as the overall stored charge. Furthermore, the results show a strong negative correlation between the parameters n and the time constant τ1/2 (i.e. defined as the time after which half the stored charge has decayed), proofing that n is a good indicator for the decay time of the stored charge.

Sputter-Deposited Shape-Memory Alloy Thin Films: Properties and Applications

MRS Bulletin ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Ishida ◽  
Valery Martynov
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Thin Films ◽  
Shape Memory Alloy ◽  
Shape Memory ◽  
Microelectromechanical Systems ◽  
Sputter Deposition ◽  
Bulk Materials ◽  
Shape Memory Actuators ◽  
Sputter Deposited ◽  
Memory Characteristics

AbstractShape-memory alloy (SMA) thin films formed by sputter deposition have attracted considerable attention in the last decade. Current intensive research demonstrates that unique fine microstructures are responsible for the superior shape-memory characteristics observed in thin films as compared with bulk materials. Simultaneously, much effort has been undertaken to develop and fabricate micro devices actuated by SMA thin films. This article reviews the research to date on shape-memory behavior and the mechanical properties of SMA thin films in connection with their peculiar microstructures. Promising applications such as microvalves are demonstrated, along with a focused discussion on process-related problems. All of the results indicate that thin-film shape-memory actuators are ready to contribute to the development of microelectromechanical systems.

Issues in the Flexible Integration of Sputter-Deposited PZT Thin Films with Polysilicon and Ti/Pt Electrode Layers for Use as Sensors and Actuators in Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)

2000 ◽  
Vol 657 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.F. Knollenberg ◽  
T.D. Sands ◽  
A.S. Nickles ◽  
R.M. White
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Lead Zirconate Titanate ◽  
Microelectromechanical Systems ◽  
Perovskite Phase ◽  
Ferroelectric Properties ◽  
Pt Electrode ◽  
Electrode Layer ◽  
Pzt Thin Films ◽  
Pzt Films ◽  
Sputter Deposited

ABSTRACTSputter-deposited piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films with Ti/Pt and polysilicon electrode layers are being investigated for use in Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS). Existing research shows the nucleation of the perovskite phase of the PZT is linked to the lattice spacing of the underlying Pt electrode and/or seed layers, and is key in obtaining PZT layers with good piezoelectric/ferroelectric properties. Our research with piezoelectric PZT films on Ti/Pt electrode layers aims at employing these films to generate and receive acoustic waves in flexural plate wave devices (FPWs). Our experiments indicate the formation of a random polycrystalline perovskite phase is linked to the emergence of oriented <100> Pt grains within the dominant <111>-oriented crystal structure during rapid thermal annealing in an oxygen environment. Pt films annealed in nitrogen, in contrast, retained their <111> preferential orientation without the formation of Pt <100> grains. PZT films deposited on these electrodes and annealed in nitrogen were strongly oriented in the <111> direction, but exhibited lossy ferroelectric behavior and were prone to delamination. We are also investigating the feasibility of using doped polysilicon electrode layers with PZT thin films. The multiple layers used with the Pt electrode (Pt, Ti, and SiO2 adhesion layer) have significant interactions with one another, and replacing these layers with a single electrode layer should alleviate these complications. A low-temperature PZT deposition process (300°C) and short annealing cycles (30 sec.), coupled with a TiO2 barrier/seed layer should prevent interdiffusion and reactions between the polysilicon and PZT layers. Our experiments show that PZT films deposited and annealed on doped polysilicon layers develop a random polycrystalline perovskite phase, but are subject to tensile cracking. The use of polysilicon as an electrode layer should also facilitate the integration of piezoelectric PZT layers with polysilicon surface micromachined structures using SiGe sacrificial layers.

Stress Relaxation and the Formation of Silicides in the Process of the Crystallization of NI-NB Films on SI

1991 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 898-899
Author(s):  
N. Rozhanski ◽  
V. Lifshitz
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Stress Relaxation ◽  
Integrated Circuits ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Alloy Film ◽  
Diffusion Barriers ◽  
Effective Barrier

Thin films of amorphous Ni-Nb alloys are of interest since they can be used as diffusion barriers for integrated circuits on Si. A native SiO2 layer is an effective barrier for Ni diffusion but it deformation during the crystallization of the alloy film lead to the appearence of diffusion fluxes through it and the following formation of silicides. This study concerns the direct evidence of the action of stresses in the process of the crystallization of Ni-Nb films on Si and the structure of forming NiSi2 islands.

Characterization of reactive phase formation in sputter-deposited Ni/Al multilayer thin films using TEM

1996 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 1000-1001
Author(s):  
G. Lucadamo ◽  
K. Barmak ◽  
C. Michaelsen
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Phase Formation ◽  
Dark Field ◽  
Nickel Layer ◽  
Multilayer Thin Films ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dark Field Imaging ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Sputter Deposited ◽  
Constant Heating

The subject of reactive phase formation in multilayer thin films of varying periodicity has stimulated much research over the past few years. Recent studies have sought to understand the reactions that occur during the annealing of Ni/Al multilayers. Dark field imaging from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies in conjunction with in situ x-ray diffraction measurements, and calorimetry experiments (isothermal and constant heating rate), have yielded new insights into the sequence of phases that occur during annealing and the evolution of their microstructure.In this paper we report on reactive phase formation in sputter-deposited lNi:3Al multilayer thin films with a periodicity A (the combined thickness of an aluminum and nickel layer) from 2.5 to 320 nm. A cross-sectional TEM micrograph of an as-deposited film with a periodicity of 10 nm is shown in figure 1. This image shows diffraction contrast from the Ni grains and occasionally from the Al grains in their respective layers.

TEM studies of solid-state reactions in sputter-deposited Nb/Al multilayer thin films

1996 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 1020-1021
Author(s):  
F. Ma ◽  
S. Vivekanand ◽  
K. Barmak ◽  
C. Michaelsen
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Solid State ◽  
Stoichiometric Composition ◽  
Analytical Electron Microscopy ◽  
Grain Structure ◽  
Solid State Reactions ◽  
Multilayer Thin Films ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Sputter Deposited

Solid state reactions in sputter-deposited Nb/Al multilayer thin films have been studied by transmission and analytical electron microscopy (TEM/AEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The Nb/Al multilayer thin films for TEM studies were sputter-deposited on (1102)sapphire substrates. The periodicity of the films is in the range 10-500 nm. The overall composition of the films are 1/3, 2/1, and 3/1 Nb/Al, corresponding to the stoichiometric composition of the three intermetallic phases in this system.Figure 1 is a TEM micrograph of an as-deposited film with periodicity A = dA1 + dNb = 72 nm, where d's are layer thicknesses. The polycrystalline nature of the Al and Nb layers with their columnar grain structure is evident in the figure. Both Nb and Al layers exhibit crystallographic texture, with the electron diffraction pattern for this film showing stronger diffraction spots in the direction normal to the multilayer. The X-ray diffraction patterns of all films are dominated by the Al(l 11) and Nb(l 10) peaks and show a merging of these two peaks with decreasing periodicity.

Transformation and Deformation Behavior in Sputter-Deposited Ti-Ni-Cu Thin Films

1995 ◽  
Vol 05 (C8) ◽  
pp. C8-689-C8-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Hashinaga ◽  
S. Miyazaki ◽  
T. Ueki ◽  
H. Horikawa
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Deformation Behavior ◽  
Sputter Deposited

Charge Trapping and Degradation Properties of PZT Thin Films for MEMS

1996 ◽  
Vol 444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyeon-Seag Kim ◽  
D. L. Polla ◽  
S. A. Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Thin Films ◽  
Loss Factor ◽  
High Field ◽  
Microelectromechanical Systems ◽  
Charge Trapping ◽  
Metal Organic ◽  
Electrical Reliability ◽  
Silicon Based ◽  
Degradation Properties ◽  
Organic Decomposition

AbstractThe electrical reliability properties of PZT (54/46) thin films have been measured for the purpose of integrating this material with silicon-based microelectromechanical systems. Ferroelectric thin films of PZT were prepared by metal organic decomposition. The charge trapping and degradation properties of these thin films were studied through device characteristics such as hysteresis loop, leakage current, fatigue, dielectric constant, capacitancevoltage, and loss factor measurements. Several unique experimental results have been found. Different degradation processes were verified through fatigue (bipolar stress), low and high charge injection (unipolar stress), and high field stressing (unipolar stress).

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