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The Growth of Amorphous CuxTi1-x Films: Relationship Between Intrinsic Stresses and Microstructure Observed by STM

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

U. Von Hülsen
Affiliation:
I. Physikalisches Institut and SFB 345, University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
U. Geyer
Affiliation:
I. Physikalisches Institut and SFB 345, University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
S. Dina
Affiliation:
I. Physikalisches Institut and SFB 345, University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
G. von Minnigerode
Affiliation:
I. Physikalisches Institut and SFB 345, University of Göttingen, 37073 Göttingen, Germany
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Abstract

The evolution of the surface topography of thin amorphous Cu-Ti films during the film growth is investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy. The films begin to grow with smooth surfaces until the film thickness reaches a critical value. Then, within a small thickness interval, a grainy microstructure of the film develops which looks very similar to the microstructure of polycrystalline films. Measurements of the intrinsic macroscopic stress in these films during the film growth show compressive stresses in the early growth stages. Then a change to tensile stresses accompanies the change in the surface topography within the same thickness interval. Both, the surface topography and the intrinsic stresses, are always correlated and depend on the deposition temperature and on the film composition. We discuss implications of these observations on the origin of macroscopic intrinsic tensile stresses in amorphous transition metal films.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1995

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References

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