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X-ray reflectivity measurement of interdiffusion in metallic multilayers during rapid heating
J P Liu1, J Kirchhoff1, L Zhou1
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
Journal of Synchrotron Radiation
|July 1, 2017
Summary
This study introduces a novel X-ray reflectivity technique for measuring interdiffusion in multilayer materials under rapid heating. The method allows for the determination of interdiffusion coefficients and activation energies, revealing insights into diffusion mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Understanding interdiffusion in multilayer materials is crucial for developing advanced materials with tailored properties.
- Rapid heating processes are increasingly important in materials synthesis and processing, necessitating methods to study dynamic phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a novel X-ray reflectivity (XRR) technique for in-situ measurement of interdiffusion in multilayer materials during rapid heating.
- To analyze the interdiffusion kinetics and determine the activation energy for diffusion in Al/Ni multilayers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a bent sample geometry to achieve a range of incident angles simultaneously.
- Employed a fast, high-dynamic-range mixed-mode pixel array detector to record scattered X-ray intensity.
- Implemented electrical resistive heating of the silicon substrate, monitored by an infrared pyrometer, for rapid heating rates (up to 200 K/s).
Main Results:
- Presented X-ray reflectivity data from Al/Ni multilayers heated at rates up to 200 K/s.
- Determined the interdiffusion coefficient from the decay rate of reflectivity peaks at short times.
- Showed that the activation energy for interdiffusion is consistent with a grain boundary diffusion mechanism.
Conclusions:
- The developed XRR technique is effective for studying interdiffusion during rapid heating.
- Grain boundary diffusion is identified as the dominant mechanism for interdiffusion in Al/Ni multilayers at early stages.
- At longer times, other processes like nucleation and growth of intermetallic phases complicate the analysis, indicating the need for more advanced modeling.
