Cain M.G., Steward M., Downs M.
National Physical Laboratory, UK
Keywords: interferometry, measurement, MEMS, piezoelectric, thin films
Piezoelectric thin films are considered emergent materials for integration within Micro Systems Technology (MST) or MEMS devices. The development of suitable measurement facilities to characterise the materials functional properties is complicated by the fact that the film is often attached to a substrate which acts to clamp the film thus affecting the system performance. This talk will describe a new differential interferometer system based on common path Jamin optics and measurement lock-in techniques that is able to analyse the displacements of the thin film to 1/10’s of pm resolution. The film/substrate acts as a natural bending element and this effect means that the displacement measurements must be carefully controlled to minimise any substrate bending. The system designed at NPL is able to measure the degree of substrate bend so that an ‘effective’ piezoelectric coefficient may be calculated. Results will be shown for ceramic monolithic materials, quartz single crystal material and sol-gel derived thin and thick films of PZT on Si substrates. Further metrological issues will be addressed and future plans described.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Technical Proceedings of the 2006 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 2
Published: May 7, 2006
Pages: 670 - 673
Industry sectors: Medical & Biotech | Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topic: Micro & Bio Fluidics, Lab-on-Chip
ISBN: 0-9767985-7-3