Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
5468331 | Vacuum | 2017 | 5 Pages |
Abstract
Thin metallic films are unstable under thermal treatment and disintegrate into particles in a process known as solid state dewetting. This process was studied by annealing 30Â nm thin gold films, deposited on flat and structured silicon substrates, by means of electron scanning microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction. Two different modes of decomposition were observed; formation of doughnut-shaped islands which coalesced into dendritic particles of gold with a network of gold particles in between, and patterns which start as circular holes with pronounced rims and subsequently develop in a typical pattern. In the case of structured substrates confinement of particles within ridges was observed for deep scratches, while shallower scratches allowed some spill over of the material.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Materials Science
Surfaces, Coatings and Films
Authors
Barbara Å etina BatiÄ, Tim VerbovÅ¡ek, Janez Å etina,