Diffusion in multi-layers, during vacuum annealing at temperatures of up to 1000C and/or during 300keV Ar bombardment, was studied. The effect of stress upon diffusion was proved by carrying out equivalent annealing or irradiation upon a multi-layer, with and without compressive stressing. Demixing or phase separation was observed during thermal annealing. On the other hand, mixing occurred during irradiation. Both phenomena were enhanced in the presence of a stress field.

S.Fayeulle, M.Nastasi: Applied Physics Letters, 1998, 73[8], 1077-9