Texture and microstructural evolution of thin silver films in Ag/Ti bilayers

Abstract

The texture and microstructure of thin silver films in Ag/Ti bilayer structures have been characterized as a function of vacuum annealing temperature and time with the use of x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. A strong preexisting ͑111͒ texture in Ag films was further improved upon annealing as evidenced by an increased intensity and narrower distribution of the texture along the film normal. A new ͑200͒ texture component was generated after 600°C annealing; it however had a relatively low intensity when compared to the dominant ͑111͒ texture. No abnormal grain growth was observed in annealed Ag films. The texture evolution in all films appeared to complete within the first 15 min annealing, while the microstructure continued to change with additional annealing time. The roles of both surface energy and strain energy in the grain growth were evaluated. A model of the grain growth and texture evolution has been proposed to explain these observations.

Grain growth in ultrathin films of CoPt and FePt

“…17,18 This may be particularly true when fiber texturing developed during deposition before postdeposition grain growth. However, this is by no means the only possible route for grain growth to take because abnormal grain growth is not observed in every case.…”

(001) textured CoPt-Ag nanocomposite films for high-density perpendicular magnetic recording

“…In order to minimize the surface energy, the film gradually develops (1 1 1) texture, since (1 1 1) is the closepacked plane. For pure CoPt grain, a high annealing temperature above 750 1C is indispensable for the ordering [14], while Fig. 1 shows that the annealing temperature of 600 1C is enough for the ordering with Ag additive.…”

Texture Evolution and Stress in Silver Thin Films on Different Substrates Using X-ray Diffraction

“…The biaxial moduli M 111 and M 200 are 173.6 and 76.7 GPa, respectively [12]. The biaxial moduli M 111 and M 200 are 173.6 and 76.7 GPa, respectively [12].…”

“…where the ' c s are the stiffness coefficients of Ag in the film coordinate system and can be determined by using the transformation equations (i.e., 11 ' c = 154.8 GPa, 12 ' c = 83.1 GPa, 13 ' c = 72.9 GPa, 33 ' c = 165.1 GPa) [8].…”