Characterization of substrate/thin-film interfaces with x-ray microdiffraction

The (buried) interface between a polycrystalline Al thin-film feature and its substrate (single crystal Si) was characterized with x-ray microdiffraction. Using a focused x-ray beam (effective spot size on the specimen ∼2×12 μm) with the Si 004 reflection, topographic images of the Si around and under the metallization feature were constructed. Comparison with shear-lag model calculations indicate that the interface is not fully coupled despite the absence of surface cracks. © 1998 American Institute of Physics.