Sensitivity of Ag/Al interface specific resistances to interfacial intermixing

Abstract

We have measured a Ag/Al interface specific resistance, 2ARAg/Al(111)=1.4 fΩ m2, that is twice that predicted for a perfect interface, 50% larger than for a 2 ML 50%–50% alloy, and even larger than our newly predicted 1.3 fΩ m2 for a 4 ML 50%–50% alloy. Such a large value of 2ARAg/Al(111) confirms a predicted sensitivity to interfacial disorder and suggests an interface ≥4 ML thick. From our calculations, a predicted anisotropy ratio, 2ARAg/Al(001)/2ARAg/Al(111), of more than 4 for a perfect interface should be reduced to less than 2 for a 4 ML interface, making it harder to detect any such anisotropy.