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Title: Mound surface roughness effects on the thermal capacitance of thin films

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1368390· OSTI ID:40203729

We investigate the influence of roughness at a nanometer scale on the thermal properties of thin films. It is shown that the roughness causes an increase of the thermal capacitance. For mound rough surfaces the increase of the thermal capacitance depends strongly on the relative magnitude of the average mound separation {lambda} and the system correlation length {zeta}. Indeed, a rather complex behavior develops for {zeta}{gt}{lambda}, while for {zeta}{lt}{lambda} a smooth decrease of the capacitance as a function of the average mound separation {lambda} takes place. Finally, the roughness strongly affects the thermal capacitance as a function of the film thickness as long as {zeta}{lt}{lambda}, while a precise determination of the actual effect requires a more-detailed knowledge of the thickness dependence of the involved roughness parameters during film growth. {copyright} 2001 American Institute of Physics.

Sponsoring Organization:
(US)
OSTI ID:
40203729
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 89, Issue 11; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.1368390; Othernumber: JAPIAU000089000011006130000001; 055111JAP; PBD: 1 Jun 2001; ISSN 0021-8979
Publisher:
The American Physical Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English