Radio-Frequency Conductivity Characteristics and Corresponding Mechanism of Graphene/Copper Multilayer Structures

Abstract

High-radio-frequency (RF) conductivity is required in advanced electronic materials to reduce the electromagnetic loss and power dissipation of electronic devices. Graphene/copper (Gr/Cu) multilayers possess higher conductivity than silver under direct current conditions. However, their RF conductivity and detailed mechanisms have rarely been evaluated at the micro scale. In this work, the RF conductivity of copper–copper (P-Cu), monolayer-graphene/copper (S-Gr/Cu), and multilayer-graphene/copper (M-Gr/Cu) multilayer structures were evaluated using scanning microwave impedance microscopy (SMIM) and dielectric resonator technique. The results indicated that the order of RF conductivity was M-Gr/Cu < P-Cu < S-Gr/Cu at 3 GHz, contrasting with P-Cu < M-Gr/Cu < S-Gr/Cu at DC condition. Meanwhile, the same trend of M-Gr/Cu < P-Cu < S-Gr/Cu was also observed using the dielectric resonator technique. Based on the conductivity-related Drude model and scattering theory, we believe that the microwave radiation can induce a thermal effect at S-Gr/Cu interfaces, leading to an increasing carrier concentration in S-Gr. In contrast, the intrinsic defects in M-Gr introduce additional carrier scattering, thereby reducing the RF conductivity in M-Gr/Cu. Our research offers a practical foundation for investigating conductive materials under RF conditions.