About cookies on this site Our websites require some cookies to function properly (required). In addition, other cookies may be used with your consent to analyze site usage, improve the user experience and for advertising. For more information, please review your options. By visiting our website, you agree to our processing of information as described in IBM’sprivacy statement. To provide a smooth navigation, your cookie preferences will be shared across the IBM web domains listed here.
Publication
Applied Physics Letters
Paper
Ring formation of Kirkendall voids in Pb-alloy thin-film diffusion couples
Abstract
Ring formation has been observed in thin-film diffusion couples consisting of a 400-nm-thick Pb0.71Bi0.29 (in weight fraction) or Pb layer above a 200-nm-thick Pb0.84In0.12Au0.04 layer with a very thin (∼6 nm) rf-grown oxide diffusion barrier in between. When interdiffusion was initiated by a rupture in the oxide barrier, concentric rings were observed to form in Pb-Bi or Pb layer centering at the rupture site as interdiffusion proceeded. Rings were found to be a string of voids resulting from Kirkendall interdiffusion. In addition, relatively high concentrations of indium and oxygen were found at rings. Although the mechanism for ring formation is not clear at present, factors which influence ring formation are discussed.