Micro-fluidic applications of telephone cord delamination blisters

Abstract

ABSTRACTArgon pressure significantly affects the residual stress in sputter deposited thin films and coatings. In case of W thin films, high residual stresses on the order of 1–2 GPa are quite common. With the rest of sputtering parameters being equal, argon pressure determines the sign and the value of residual stress.When the amount of stored elastic energy in the film due to the residual stress exceeds the interfacial toughness, fracture normally occurs. Telephone cord buckling delamination blisters are commonly observed in compressed thin films. These mechanically active features form by a loss of adhesion between the film and the substrate due to residual stress relief, and exhibit directional growth under certain conditions. This paper considers telephone cord delamination channels for micro-fluidics applications, as this could to be a valuable, reliable, and inexpensive method of forming open channels.