A simple resonant method that can simultaneously measure elastic modulus and density of thin films

By measuring the resonant frequencies of cantilever beams without and with thin films deposited and with the use of the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, elastic modulus and density of thin films can be determined simultaneously. This simple resonant method was validated using a sputtered Ni film/Si substrate system. The elastic modulus of the Ni film obtained from this method was in excellent agreement with that measured by use of nanoindentation.

► A new method is proposed to simultaneously measure thin films' modulus and density.
► The method has been validated on Ni films.
► The modulus obtained by the method is in good agreement with nanoindent results.
► The method is of special importance for measuring porous materials.