Abstract
Both Cu-Cr and Cu-Ti alloy films with different composition were prepared by dc magnetron sputtering onto polyimide substrate and their adhesion and microstructure were observed. In addition, the effect of heat treatment at $400^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours on the variation of adhesion properties and on the changess of microstructure were investigated. Cu-Cr alloy films have crystalline structure of either for or bcc phase depending on the composition of the film. However, the Cu-Ti alloy film forms fcc phase at low Ti concentration while it forms an amorphous phase as the Ti concentration in the films is increased to more than 25at.%. TEM analysis reveal that the microstructure of Cu-Cr and Cu-Ti films forms an open structure with vacant spaces. The adhesion between Cu-Cr, Cu-Ti alloy films and polyimide substrate is relatively good before the heat treatment, but is noticeably reduced after the heat treatment. In particular, the adhesion strength is significantly reduced in the Cu-Ti alloy films after the heat treatment. The reduction of adhesion strength after the heat treatment is identified to relate with the formation of oxide phases at the metal/polyimide interface by AES(Auger Electron Spectroscopy).
