ROOM-TEMPERATURE INTERACTIONS IN AG-METALS THIN-FILM COUPLES

The results of room temperature interactions of silver and various metals in thin films are presented. It has been found that aluminium, gold, bismuth, chromium, copper, antimony and samarium do not react with silver under the conditions given, but cadmium, gallium, indium, tin, tellurium and zinc do, and the reactions lead to the formation of corresponding intermetallic compounds. In the AgGa system only one compound is formed, which has been identified as Ag3Ga. In the AgIn system, with less than 50 wt.% In, one compound is formed and this has been identified as Ag2In. A compound formed with over 50 wt.% In has been identified as AgIn2 LT (low temperature phase). Between 60 and 120°C this compound transforms into AgIn2 MT (medium temperature phase). In the AgSn system the compound Ag3Sn is formed and in the AgTe system the compounds Ag2Te and Ag5Te3 are formed. © 1979.