Abstract
The absence of void formation at the interface of aluminum‐gold thin‐film diffusion couples after diffusion annealing is noted in studies reported here. This is in contrast to the void formation observed in bulk aluminum‐gold couples. The Kirkendall‐effect explanation is believed not applicable to these thin‐film samples where it is proposed that the rapid surface diffusion replenishes the formed vacancies, thus preventing vacancy condensation and void formation.

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