I.A. Sorokin1, D.V. Kolodko2
1,2 Fryazino branch of Kotelnikov IRE of RAS (Fryazino, Russia)
1,2 National Research Nuclear University Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (Moscow, Russia)
Problem formulating. Measuring the thickness of some functional and decorative coatings requires the use of non-contact non-destructive control methods. It is relevant for the processes of precious metals deposition [1-2]; for intermediate stages of creating micro- and nanoelectronics; when the use of contact methods can partially or entirely destroy the coating. The application of contact methods in measuring the thickness of thin (< 100 nm) carbon functional films (nanocrystalline graphite, diamond-like films, or multilayer graphene) meets specific difficulties, mainly due to high stresses in the crystal structure of the films. In this case, any local damage of the crystal structure can lead to complete destruction of the coating.
Goal. Expanding the functionality of the existing contactless EDS technique for indirect measurement of the thin coatings thickness (EPMA) into the light elements: carbon functional coatings, lithium, beryllium films, etc.
Result. The theoretical basis of a new non-contact method for measuring the thickness of light elements films (carbon, beryllium, lithium, etc.) using energy-dispersive spectroscopy has been developed.
Practical meaning. The proposed technique will make it possible to measure, for example, thin (<100 nm) functional carbon coatings (nanocrystalline graphite, diamond-like films, multilayer graphene, etc.) with high stresses in the crystal structure.
Sorokin I.A., Kolodko D.V. On the possibility of indirect measurement of the thin carbon films thickness using energy-dispersive analysis. Nonlinear World. 2022. V. 20. № 2. P. 32-37. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j20700970-202202-07
(In Russian)
- Giurlani W., Innocenti M., Lavacchi A. X-ray microanalysis of precious metal thin films: Thickness and composition determination. Coatings. 2018. V. 8. № 2. P. 84.
- Giurlani W., Berretti E., Innocenti M., Lavacchi A. Coating thickness determination using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy: Monte carlo simulations as an alternative to the use of standards. Coatings. 2019. V. 9. № 2. P. 79.
- Sweeney W.E. (Jr.), Seebold R.E., Birks L.S. Electron probe measurements of evaporated metal films. J. Appl. Phys. 1960.
V. 31. P. 1061–1064. - Bishop H.C., Poole D.M. A simple method of thin film analysis in the electron probe microanalyser. J. of Physics D. Applied Physics. 1973. V. 6. № 9. P. 1142.
- Pascual R., Curz L.R., Ferreira C.L. Thin film thickness measurement using the energy-dispersive spectroscopy technique in a scanning electron microscope. Thin Solid Films. 1990. V. 185. P. 279-288.
- Waldo R.A., Militello M.C., Gaarenstroom S.W. Quantitative thin‐film analysis with an energy‐dispersive x‐ray detector. Surface and Interface Analysis. 1993. V. 20. № 2. P. 111-114.
- Pryds N., Toftmann B., Bilde-Sørensen J.B., Schou J., Linderoth S. Thickness determination of large-area films of yttria-stabilized zirconia produced by pulsed laser deposition. Applied Surf. Science. 2006. V. 252. P. 4882-4885.
- Prencipe I., Dellasega D., Zani A., Rizzo D., Passoni M. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy for nanostructured thin film density evaluation. Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. 2015. V. 16. № 2. P. 1-9.
- Zhang L., Li M., Li H., Song X. Measurement of multilayer film thickness using x-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Key Engineering Materials. 2017. V. 726. P. 85-89.
- Demers H., Poirier-Demers N., Couture A.R., Joly D., Guilmain M., De Jonge N., Drouin D. Three-dimensional electron microscopy simulation with the CASINO Monte Carlo software. Scanning.2011. V. 33. № 3. P. 135-146.
- Golosio B., Schoonjans T., Brunetti A., Oliva P., Masala G.L. Monte Carlo simulation of x-ray imaging and spectroscopy experiments using quadric geometry and variance reduction techniques. Comput. Phys. Commun. 2014. V. 185.
P. 1044-1052. - Schoonjans T., Vincze L., Solé V.A., Sanchez Del Rio M., Brondeel P., Silversmit G., Appel K., Ferrero C. A general Monte Carlo simulation of energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometers. Part 5: Polarized radiation, stratified samples, cascade effects, M-lines. Spectrochim. Acta. Part B. At. Spectrosc. 2012. V. 70. P. 10–23.
- Schoonjans T., Solé V.A., Vincze L., Sanchez Del Rio M., Appel K., Ferrero C. A general Monte Carlo simulation of energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometers. Part 6. Quantification through iterative simulations. Spectrochim. Acta. Part B. At. Spectrosc. 2013. V. 82. Р. 36–41.
- Cockett G.H., Davis C.D. Coating thickness measurement by electron probe microanalysis. British Journal of Applied Physics. 1963. V. 14. № 11. P. 813-816.