Comparison of electrical sensing and image analysis for in situ transmission electron microscopy nanomechanical testing of thin films

Sandra Stangebye, Xing Liu, Lina Daza Llanos, Yichen Yang, Ting Zhu, Josh Kacher, Olivier Pierron

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

An in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device has been designed to utilize TEM imaging for measuring stress and strain of thin film micro-specimens while simultaneously recording the microstructure evolution. Digital image correlation is also used to measure local normal strain values by tracking edge features of the specimens. The device performance is compared to that of a similar MEMS device that utilizes capacitive sensors for stress and strain measurements, using 100-nm thick Au thin film specimens. It is shown that there is a significant improvement in the noise levels from ∼1–2 MPa to ∼0.2 MPa and increased sensitivity with the capability of measuring small stress changes. The device can be used to perform both in situ TEM monotonic and transient tests (for activation volume measurements) to investigate the active plastic deformation mechanisms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number140125
JournalThin Solid Films
Volume787
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 31 2023
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Metals and Alloys
  • Materials Chemistry

Keywords

  • Activation volume
  • In situ transmission electron microscopy
  • Nanomechanics

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