Interdiffusion in Ni/Au and Ni-Fe/Au thin film diffusion couples

Abstract

The interdiffusion in 1000 Å Ni/500 Å Au and 1000 Å Ni-Fe/500 Å Au thin film diffusion couples, in the temperature range 150-350 °C, has been investigated using X-ray diffraction techniques; the Ni-Fe thin films contained nominally 20wt%Fe. The average concentration of the diffusing species in each film was obtained from the angular position of the diffraction peaks. The results indicate that the presence of Fe significantly impedes the diffusion of Ni in Au, while scarcely affecting the diffusion of Au in Ni. The time-dependent concentration changes observed in this investigation are in fair agreement with the results of He+ back-scattering experiments. © 1974 IOP Publishing Ltd.