Papers by Author: Seung Min Hyun

Abstract: Mechanical behavior of small size materials has been explored due to many industry applications such as MEMs and semiconductors. The accurate measurements for mechanical properties of thin films are very challenge due to several technical difficulties. The proposed solution is the Visual Image Tracing (VIT) strain measurement system coupled with a micro tensile testing unit, which consists of a piezoelectric actuator, load cell, microscope and CCD cameras. This system has shown advantages of real time strain monitoring during the test and ability to measure the Young’s modulus, yiled strength and Poisson’s ratio of the material. Free standing Au films 0.5, 1 and 2 μm thick with average grain sizes of 104, 148 and 219 nm prepared by sputtering were studied using VIT system. The yield stresses of the films are dependent on film thickness and grain size.

Abstract: The reliable reproducibility of nano patterns or other nano structures is one of many issues in the nano-imprint lithography process. An important prerequisite for reproducibility is suitable adhesion properties of adhesion promoters or anti-sticking layer. In this study, rhombus shaped symmetrical probe with a flat tip was developed and fabricated using MEMS fabrication technique. For the experimental setup of the adhesion test using a UV curable PAK01 resin coated AFM tip with several adhesion promoters, the flat tip is covered by PAK01 resist using micromanipulator. Anti-sticking layers of silane agents were prepared on the tip by vapor deposition method. Adhesion force between various adhesion promoters (GPTS, APMDS, APTS, DUV30J, O2 planairzation) and PAK01 resist and the force between anti-sticking layer (FOTS, DDMS) and PAK01 resist were evaluated using the force-distance mode of AFM. Adhesion force of GPTS and FOTS are about 7180 nN and 1660 nN, respectively.

Abstract: We have developed a novel atomic force microscope (AFM) probe as a highly sensitive sensor and an application of the probe into various mechanical tests for characterizing micro/nanostructures. Using MEMS fabrication technique, we have designed and fabricated rhombus-shaped symmetric AFM probe. Adhesion forces between silicon tip and artificial nano-hair structures of cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) and polypropylene (PP) were measured using the probe with a flat tip. The results exhibited the usual characteristics of force-displacement curves of COC and PP nano-hair structures, in which a pull-off force was detected at the point of unloading. The average adhesion forces of the COC and PP hair structures are about 9.48 μN and 10.67 μN, respectively.

Abstract: Thin metal films often play an important role as structural elements or reflective surfaces in MEMS applications. Mechanical properties of the films are important due to their influence on the performance of MEMS devices that involve bending or stretching metal parts. In order to gain a better understanding of the mechanical behavior of thin metal films, we have developed a novel bulge system and measured mechanical properties of aluminum thin films. The thin films were prepared by e-beam evaporation of high purity Al onto 2 or 3mm ×12 mm rectangular silicon nitride membrane windows in silicon frames. N2 gas was used to pressurize and thus bulge the membranes. The bulge height was measured based on changes of capacitance between the membrane and a fixed, closely spaced electrode. This apparatus provides resolution of approximately 50 nm in bulge height at a data acquisition rate of 100/sec and provides strain rates in the membrane up to 10-5/sec. The stability of the apparatus allows stress relaxation measurements to be made to times of many hours. Time dependent elastic modulus changes of 1
m Al films were measured over periods of times under constant stress.

Abstract: Pt-IrOx and Au-V2O5 thin films were created by magnetron co-sputtering from multiple targets in an Ar-O2 mixture. Successful Pt-IrOx production required high O2 partial pressure and slow deposition rate followed by post-annealing in pure O2. In contrast, deposition of Au-V2O5 films required relatively low O2 partial pressure, and did not need any post-anneal. These different strategies for forming oxide dispersion strengthened films in a multi-target reactive sputtering configuration are directly related to the thermodynamic characteristics of the two materials systems. The most important characteristics are the low equilibrium oxygen solubility in Pt and Au, and the different degrees of oxygen affinity by Ir and V.