Nanoindentation and adhesion properties of ta thin films

Abstract

Ta films were sputtered onto a glass substrate with thicknesses from 500 Å to 1500 Å under the following conditions: (a) as-deposited films were maintained at room temperature (RT), (b) films were postannealed at T A = 150 °C for 1 h, and (c) films were postannealed at T A = 250 °C for 1 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results revealed that the Ta films had a body-centered cubic (BCC) structure. Postannealing conditions and thicker Ta films exhibited a stronger Ta (110) crystallization than as-deposited and thinner films. The nanoindention results revealed that Ta thin films are sensitive to mean grain size, including a valuable hardness (H) and Young's modulus (E). High nanomechanical properties of as-deposited and thinner films can be investigated by grain refinement, which is consistent with the Hall-Petch effect. The surface energy of as-deposited Ta films was higher than that in postannealing treatments. The adhesion of as-deposited Ta films was stronger than postannealing treatments because of crystalline degree effect. The maximal H and E and the optimal adhesion of an as-deposited 500-Å-thick Ta film were 15.6 GPa, 180 GPa, and 51.56 mJ/mm2, respectively, suggesting that a 500-Å-thick Ta thin film can be used in seed and protective layer applications. © 2013 Yuan-Tsung Chen.