Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis and solid-phase reactions in bilayer thin films

Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) in Al/Ni, Al/Fe, and Al/C o bilayer thin films is investigated. It is established that SHS is achieve d in thin films at initiation temperatures 300-350 degrees lower than in po wders. The mechanism of SHS in thin films is similar to the process of expl osive crystallization. It is shown that at the initial stage solid-phase re actions arising on the contact surface of condensate films can be self-prop agating high-temperature synthesis. SHS could find application in different technologies for obtaining film components for microelectronics. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S1063-7842(98)01010-1].