Publications Details

Systematically controlling Kapitza conductance via chemical etching

Duda, John C.; Hopkins, Patrick E.

We measure the thermal interface conductance between thin aluminum films and silicon substrates via time-domain thermoreflectance from 100 to 300 K. The substrates are chemically etched prior to aluminum deposition, thereby offering a means of controlling interface roughness. We find that conductance can be systematically varied by manipulating roughness. In addition, transmission electron microscopy confirms the presence of a conformal oxide for all roughnesses, which is then taken into account via a thermal resistor network. This etching process provides a robust technique for tuning the efficiency of thermal transport while alleviating the need for laborious materials growth and/or processing. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.