Papers by Author: Zheng Wei Li

Abstract: Low-k dielectric improves the switching speed by reducing the parasitic capacitance in integrated circuits. However it suffers the problem of copper diffusion. Forming gas (H2 + N2) plasma treatment on the surface of HSG-7000 low-k dielectric thin film has demonstrated to improve copper diffusion resistance. Two techniques using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (SIMS) have been used to examine the copper diffusion on this thin film. A thin layer of 10 nm with C-N bonds near the HSG-7000 surface were believed to be created by the plasma treatment and confirmed with XPS and SIMS and acts as barrier.

Abstract: In this work, we report our study of the microstructure and mechanical properties of pure Ti, Ti-11Al, Ti-47Al and Ti-6Al-4V nanostructure coatings on AZ91D Mg alloys prepared using DC magnetron sputtering. The fine structures of the coating (see fig. 1 for Ti-6Al-4V coating) are presented. The hardness of the coatings were tested on a CSEM nano-hardness tester with a Berkovich diamond intender. Hardness values were obtained from analyses using the Oliver-Pharr scheme. The hardness of the nanostructure coating increases from about 3.5GPa up to about 6.8GPa when the aluminium concentration increases from zero to 47at.%. Maximum hardness value was found on the Ti-6Al-4V coating, about 7.3GPa. The elastic modulus of the pure Ti coating has the lowest modulus and strain burst “pop-in” has been observed on Ti-47Al coating.

Abstract: A two-step deposition-oxidation method was successfully developed to fabricate zinc oxide thin films and nanostructures. Morphological observations clearly showed that a controllable growth of dense/porous oxide films, nanowhiskers, nanowires, and nanobelts could be obtained by controlling the deposition and oxidation conditions. Photoluminescence properties of the ZnO films were also studied. A strong and predominant ultra-violet near-band-edge emission could be observed on most of the samples, while a green or red color emission accompanying with a largely suppressed ultra-violet emission could be realized on the samples with different processing conditions. The results therefore indicated that ZnO films and structures with desirable microstructural and optical properties could be obtained with this deposition-oxidation technique under controllable conditions.

Abstract: It is shown from the oxidation results that, for Fe-Cr, Ni-Cr, Co-Cr binary alloys with and without internal Cr2O3 precipitations after exposure, continuous external Cr2O3 scales formed on their surfaces, especially at the initial stage. It is therefore suggested that the transitions of oxidation for these alloys take place from externally to internally. There are two types of transitions for alloys: (1) the transition from temporary external oxidation to internal oxidation; and (2) the transition from permanent external oxidation to internal oxidation. The thermodynamic conditions for these transitions have been analyzed, and the criterion for prediction of the minimum solute concentration of a binary solid solution alloy required for the second transition has been derived. It is also suggested that the external oxide scale is an important factor to determine the formation of pure solvent metal nodules on the surfaces.