Determination of Strain Distributions in Aluminum Thin Films as a Function of Temperature by the use of Synchrotron Grazing Incidence X-Ray Scattering

Abstract
We have measured elastic strain distributions with depth as a function of temperature in Al thin films of various thicknesses on oxidized silicon using synchrotron grazing incidence X-ray scattering (GIXS). Disregarding minor surface relaxation effects that depend on the film thickness, it is shown that there are no gross strain gradients in these films in the range of temperatures (between room temperature and 400°C) considered. We also observe X-ray line broadening effects, suggesting an accumulation of dislocations on cooling the films, and their annealing out as the films are reheated.