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Early Morphological Changes in Al Lines During Current Stressing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2011

H. Schührer
Affiliation:
Institute of Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, P.O. Box 270016 01171 Dresden, Germany
H. Brückl
Affiliation:
Institute of Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, P.O. Box 270016 01171 Dresden, Germany
G. Reiss
Affiliation:
Institute of Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, P.O. Box 270016 01171 Dresden, Germany
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Abstract

This paper will show that scanning force microscopy (also known as atomic force microscopy (AFM)) is a good tool to observe the microscopic changes in the morphology of metallic conductor lines during in situ current stressing with a very high spatial resolution. AFM was used to image AlSi1%Cu0.5% meander structures (1 μm thick, 4 μm wide, 44 mm long) at room temperature during current stressing. The microstructure of the material showed significant changes already at a current density of 1.5 MA/cm2, still before voiding and hillock growth occurred. Growth and reduction of the grain sizes and also grooving and widening of the grain boundaries were observed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1997

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References

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