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109 records found

Journal article (2026) - Zezhan Li, Wei Du, Xuyang Yan, Chao Gu, Xueliang Wang, Tiancheng Tian, Willem van Driel, Guoqi Zhang, Jiajie Fan
Pressureless sintered Ag pastes are promising die-attach materials for power electronics, yet practical sintering-profile optimization still relies heavily on trial-and-error, and the link from thermal kinetics to fracture-relevant microstructure and strength remains insufficiently established. In this work, a thermal-kinetics-guided workflow was developed to design paste-specific pressureless sintering profiles for two commercial Ag pastes (a spherical-particle paste and a flake-based paste) and to interpret the resulting strength–fracture response using SEM-based, heterogeneity-aware learning. Multi-heating-rate TGA was used to define the conversion fraction (α), while DSC was used to identify the dominant thermal-event window and extract the characteristic peak temperature for Arrhenius pairing. The TGA-defined conversion evolution was then modeled using a JMAK/Avrami form with Arrhenius temperature dependence to predict the isothermal holding time required to reach a target conversion at a selected dwell temperature. Relative to supplier-recommended profiles, the optimized profiles increased die-shear strength by 35% for the spherical-particle paste and by 206% for the flake-based paste, and promoted a fracture-mode transition from interfacial debonding toward mixed/cohesive fracture. Pearson/Ridge baselines and attention-based multiple-instance learning (MIL) linked strength and fracture-mode distribution to porosity/connectivity-related descriptors; paste-wise normalization mitigated paste-specific baselines and enabled MIL to reveal profile-induced microstructure–performance co-variation. Overall, this study establishes a practical workflow that couples thermal-kinetics-guided profile design with mechanical and fractographic validation and interpretable microstructure–property attribution, supporting mechanism-informed optimization of pressureless sintered Ag die-attach pastes. ...
Review (2026) - Hongyu Tang, Zihao Cai, Mengyuan Tang, Ninghai Yu, Weiqi Shi, Lindong Ma, Jiajie Fan, Rongjun Zhang, Guoqi Zhang
Two-dimensional materials (2DMs)-based devices exhibit aerospace potential due to their superior properties. However, the operational reliability of 2DMs-based devices in space environments is significantly influenced by charged-particle radiation, necessitating rigorous ground-based radiation tolerance assessments. Current research on radiation effects in 2DMs is primarily experimental, yet such methodologies are inherently time-consuming, resource-intensive, and limited in throughput. To address these challenges, computational modeling and simulation techniques are increasingly being integrated with experimental characterization to accelerate materials design and unravel underlying physical mechanisms. This review systematically evaluates the state-of-the-art multiscale computational frameworks for 2DMs research, focusing on recent advancements, technical challenges, and emerging opportunities. A novel integrative approach is proposed, combining density functional theory, molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo, finite element analysis, and machine learning techniques. Particular emphasis is placed on addressing challenges in multiscale modeling, including accurate representation of complex phenomena across spatial and temporal scales under extreme environmental conditions. Conversely, opportunities for enhancing predictive capabilities are highlighted, with implications for expediting materials discovery in electronics, photonics, energy storage, catalysis, and nanomechanical systems. This comprehensive survey provides a strategic roadmap for future research directions in multiscale computational modeling of 2DMs, emphasizing interdisciplinary methodologies that bridge atomistic simulations with macroscale engineering applications. The insights presented herein aim to advance the development of radiation-hardened 2DMs-based devices for next-generation aerospace systems. ...
Journal article (2026) - Zhoudong Yang, Xinyue Wang, Jing Tian, Changran Zheng, Xuyang Yan, Junwei Chen, Yuanhui Zuo, Guoqi Zhang, Jiajie Fan, More Authors
Reliable 4H-SiC for high-power electronics and quantum photonics requires a quantitative understanding of how contact loading drives microstructure evolution and load-bearing/fracture response in epitaxial layers. Here, we integrate instrumented indentation, confocal micro-Raman residual-stress metrology, atomistic molecular dynamics (MD), and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) to establish processing–microstructure–mechanical property linkages in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) 4H-SiC epilayers. At peak depths of 600–1050 nm, indentation promotes Palmqvist-type radial cracks and the apparent indentation toughness KIC increases from 0.87 ± 0.08 to 1.20 ± 0.05 MPa m1/2 with depth, consistent with plastic-zone growth and dislocation shielding. E2(TO) Raman mapping quantifies an increase in residual stress from ∼302 ± 60 to ∼665 ± 72 MPa. It also shows that the incremental broadening of the FWHM becomes less pronounced beyond ∼750 nm, suggesting that the near-surface disorder indicator within the Raman probe volume approaches a quasi-steady level. MD captures a 4H → 3C phase transformation, amorphization beneath indenter ridges, and dislocation nucleation/growth, which HRTEM directly corroborates. The combined measurement–model–validation closed loop yields a depth-dependent relationship between residual-stress accumulation and apparent toughness, converting them into an actionable processing window: constraining penetration depth below ∼0.75 μm limits residual stress and near-surface disorder. These results provide physics-based guidance for machining and packaging of 4H-SiC epilayers and illustrate a transferable framework for brittle, anisotropic ceramics. ...
Journal article (2026) - Chao Gu, Xiao Hu, Kai Lu, Tao Wang, Xuyang Yan, Wei Chen, Junwei Chen, Xuejun Fan, Guoqi Zhang, Jiajie Fan
Although silver sintering is widely used in die attach, its reliability under low-pressure and pressureless sintering conditions remains a challenge, and the degradation mechanism needs to be addressed urgently. This study investigates the degradation mechanisms of silver sintered die attach subjected to thermal shock (TS) (−45 °C to 125 °C), revealing its microstructural evolution, degradation of mechanical properties, and pore dynamics. After 1500 cycles, the average porosity did not decrease and remained at approximately 10%, but the porosity distribution exhibited significant heterogeneity, forming three characteristic regions of high porosity, low porosity, and crack regions. With the porosity evolution, the grain size increased by a factor of 2.1–2.8, with the largest grain sizes in the crack region, and the recrystallization fraction decreased significantly, from 89.6 % to a range of 37.3 %–72.1 %. Additionally, the combination with the decrease in both statistically stored dislocation density and total dislocation density reveals a decline in hardness and yield strength of silver sintered layer from 1.05 GPa and 326 MPa to 0.92 GPa and 231 MPa, respectively, gradually diminishing their ability to impede pore migration and merging. Thermal-mechanical coupling simulations based on the actual porous structure images show that the mismatch in the coefficient of thermal expansion induces alternating tensile and compressive thermal stresses, driving pore evolution and crack propagation. The kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) Potts model based on Kawasaki dynamics combined with pore conservation can effectively predict the long-term pore evolution in this case. These findings provide important guidance for optimizing the sintering process and improving the application of silver sintering materials in high-reliability electronic packaging. ...
Journal article (2026) - Jiajie Fan, Xuyang Yan, Chuantong Chen, Leiming Du, Zichuan Li, Junran Zhang, Willem Van Driel, Guoqi Zhang
Sintered Cu nanoparticles (Cu NPs) are promising interconnection materials for high-temperature power electronics, yet how their authentic three-dimensional pore architecture governs microscale deformation remains unclear. Here, synchrotron nano-computed tomography (nano-CT) was combined with in-situ micropillar compression, explicit dynamic elastoplastic finite element analysis, and TEM/TKD characterization to interrogate sintered Cu NPs. The nano-CT voxel size was 45 nm, and the reconstructed volume corresponded to a cylinder 16 µm in diameter and 10 µm in height. The average sectional porosity was 12.44%, with a systematic discrepancy between two-dimensional and three-dimensional porosity quantification. During loading, the porosity decreased to 9.55% while the pore aspect ratio increased from 1.82–2.35. Finite element analysis further showed pronounced pore-adjacent stress/strain localization at the elastic–plastic transition, with local stress and equivalent plastic strain reaching 650 MPa and 1.7 × 10−2, compared with 250 MPa and 1.1 × 10−3 in adjacent regions. The GND density increased by 95.9% at a compressive strain of 26%, linking pore-induced strain gradients to dislocation accumulation. These results quantitatively connect authentic three-dimensional pore architecture, local deformation localization, and dislocation-mediated strengthening in sintered Cu NPs. Highlights Synchrotron nano-CT (45 nm voxel size) reconstructed a 16 × 10 µm cylindrical volume of sintered Cu NPs and resolved the authentic 3D pore network. Sectional porosity was 12.44%, and 2D/3D quantification showed a systematic discrepancy, with porosity decreasing to 9.55% and pore aspect ratio increasing from 1.82 to 2.35 during compression. Pore-adjacent localization was quantified at the elastic–plastic transition, with local stress/PEEQ reaching 650 MPa and 1.7 × 10−2 versus 250 MPa and 1.1 × 10−3 in adjacent regions. A 95.9% increase in GND density at 26% compressive strain links pore-induced strain gradients to dislocation accumulation and strain-gradient-driven strengthening. ...
Journal article (2026) - Z. Xiang, T. Luo, W. Wang, B. Sun, B. Sun, Q. Zhang, J. Fan, G Zhang
This paper investigates the surge reliability of commercial 1200V SiC MOSFETs through a combined approach of experimental testing and multiphysics simulation, elucidating the failure mechanisms under both step and repetitive surge current stress. The innovative integration of package-level electro-thermal coupling simulation with transient junction temperature estimation overcomes the limitations of conventional methodologies that rely solely on decapsulation analysis and Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD) simulation. Experimental evaluations on six Devices Under Test (DUTs) with distinct structural configurations, employing surge testing and failure analysis techniques including C-mode Scanning Acoustic Microscopy (C-SAM), optical microscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), confirm that device failure primarily originates from gate-source short circuits caused by aluminum bonding wire melting. COMSOL multiphysics simulations further replicate the transient thermal characteristics of bonding wire regions, demonstrating rapid temperature escalation to the Aluminum melting point within 5-6 ms during surge events. A transient thermal resistance-based junction temperature characterization method is proposed, revealing an inverse proportionality between thermal resistance and chip area. ...
Conference paper (2026) - A.N.M.K. Abdelwahab, Z. Farmani, H. Kuipers, M. Tichem, J. Fan, Kouchi Zhang
Handling ultra-thin semiconductor dies during assembly remains challenging due to their mechanical fragility and sensitivity to placement forces. Contactless die transfer methods reduce mechanical loading and have potential to enable higher placement speeds and improved throughput but introduce challenges such as uncontrolled impact dynamics, die rebound, and misalignment during landing. This work investigates a liquid-assisted contactless adhesive bonding approach in which droplets deposited on stencil-printed conductive adhesive act as transient damping and alignment media during die landing. Dummy silicon dies with a gold (Au) surface finish were released from a short distance onto the adhesive. Four liquids with different physical and chemical properties—deionized (DI) water, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), acetone, and liquid flux—were investigated to evaluate the influence of key fluid parameters, including surface tension, viscosity, and density, on die impact dynamics, stabilization, and subsequent bonding quality. The results demonstrate that droplet material properties significantly influence die landing dynamics in liquid-assisted contactless assembly. Among the investigated liquids, deionized water enabled reliable die entrapment and damping. In contrast, for the lower-surface-tension solvents isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and acetone, the droplets were not sufficiently confined under the experimental conditions, and therefore no direct die entrapment was observed, although impact damping was still achieved. Die entrapment and stabilization behavior were analyzed using high-speed camera recordings and complementary two-dimensional simulations performed in COMSOL Multiphysics. Furthermore, the impact of the droplets on the resulting bond interface and joint quality was evaluated through post-bond characterization. The study provides insight into droplet-mediated die landing and offers guidelines for selecting liquids for reliable contactless micro-assembly. ...

A combined nanoindentation test and hybrid Potts-phase field simulation study

Journal article (2026) - Junwei Chen, Zezhan Li, Bin Yang, Xiao Hu, Wenyu Li, Zichuan Li, Xuyang Yan, Guoqi Zhang, Jiajie Fan, More authors...
The reliability of through-glass via (TGV) interconnects is critical for advanced semiconductor packaging. This work investigates microstructural and mechanical evolution in electroplated TGV–Cu subjected to long-term aging at 250 °C. TGV samples were fabricated via laser-induced etching and double-sided copper electroplating, then aged for up to 1008 h. Nanoindentation revealed region-dependent reductions in hardness (from 2.0–2.5 GPa to below 0.5 GPa) and modulus (from 110–130 GPa to 40–90 GPa), with surface-near regions most affected. The glass substrate maintained stable mechanical properties until microcracks formed after 1008 h. EBSD quantification showed grain-size enlargement from 0.46 µm to 1.86 µm and a concurrent decrease in dislocation density. Molecular dynamics simulations of 3, 4, 5 nm grains corroborated the inverse relationship between grain size and micro-mechanical properties. A hybrid Potts-phase field model further linked grain coarsening to stress relaxation and elastic-energy minimization, revealing that as grains grow, the overall von Mises stress in the structure decreases; high-modulus grains retain relatively higher local stresses, while low-modulus, low-stress grains exhibit faster growth rates. Electrical I–V measurements confirmed stable ohmic behavior, despite a drop in insulation resistance. These integrated experimental and computational insights provide theoretical guidance for optimizing TGV interposer design and ensuring long-term operational reliability in heterogeneous integration technologies. (Figure presented.) ...
Journal article (2026) - Xuyang Yan, Leiming Du, Zhoudong Yang, Wei Du, Tiancheng Tian, Xueliang Wang, Wenyu Li, Guoqi Zhang, Jiajie Fan
Residual stress and thermally induced warpage are critical reliability concerns in power electronic packaging, particularly when employing sintered copper nanoparticle (Cu NP) interconnects. While these interconnects provide high thermal and electrical performance, they also introduce significant interfacial stresses during bonding that alter mechanical behavior during service. This study develops an integrated confocal Raman–analytical modeling framework to directly quantify and mechanistically interpret these stresses in a representative SiC/Sintered Cu NPs/Active Metal Brazing ceramic substrate (AMB) stack. Raman spectroscopy reveals a compressive interfacial stress field peaking at −334 MPa near the chip center with localized hotspots linked to microporosity. Complementary in-situ Moiré interferometry tracked warpage evolution during thermal cycle (30–310°C). Coupling this stress measurement with a three-dimensional thermoelastic model, and explicitly assigning the bonding temperature as the stress-free reference, enables accurate reproduction of the temperature-dependent warpage trajectory. The model predictions align with experimental interferometry within < 5% deviation. These results demonstrate that incorporating residual stress is essential to realistically capture thermo-mechanical evolution. The proposed Raman–model paradigm advances beyond prior purely numerical or purely experimental efforts by bridging quantitative stress mapping with predictive warpage modeling. This methodology provides essential insights for thermal-induced residual stress and warpage managements in high-temperature power electronics packaging, providing a stress-informed foundation for reliability assessment and design optimization. ...
Journal article (2026) - Zichuan Li, Jiajie Fan, Guoqi Zhang
This study is motivated by a conceptual inconsistency in the physical interpretation of eight-chain hyperelastic theory, which arises from the combined effect of two distinct issues: the use of the marginal projection distribution pz(|rz|) as a surrogate for the full probability density of end-to-end distance p(r̄), and the subsequent reliance on a root mean square (RMS) approximation step in the micro–macro averaging of chain stretch. We first revisit this probabilistic mismatch by reformulating the probability density function of freely-jointed chains (FJCs) in terms of the squared end-to-end vector r2, thereby restoring consistency on chain-level statistics. Building on this formulation, the micro–macro mapping averaging of chain conformational free energy is constructed directly in terms of r2, leading to a one-step mean-field approximation that avoids RMS averaging. The modified probability transformation is examined by Monte Carlo sampling at the microscopic level. To account for interchain interactions, q-mean statistical description of micro tube confinement was incorporated, leading to the appearance of the general invariant Iq1q2q3q. The resulting continuum constitutive model is assessed against multiaxial experimental data for several polymer networks, including vulcanized natural rubber, Entec Enflex S4035A thermoplastic elastomer, Tetra-PEG, and isoprene rubber vulcanizate. Comparisons with three existing hyperelastic strain energy formulations, the extended eight-chain, extended tube models, and the four-parameter ”comprehensive” model, demonstrate comparable phenomenological accuracy of the current model while providing a clearer and more consistent micro–macro physical interpretation of model parameters. A parametric study further illustrates how the dimensionless parameters n and q govern the shape of the macroscopic stress–strain responses. The present formulation provides a consistent theoretical basis within the scope of hyperelasticity and admits potential extensions toward more complex irreversible phenomena. ...
Journal article (2026) - Zhoudong Yang, Botao Sun, Xinyue Wang, Yuanhui Zuo, Hongyu Tang, Changran Zheng, Zhuorui Tang, Guoqi Zhang, Jiajie Fan
Ion implantation and subsequent annealing reshape the defect landscape and stress state of compound semiconductors, yet the temperature-dependent mechanisms in SiC remain incompletely understood. Here, we utilize molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and confocal micro-Raman measurements to resolve how implantation temperature and post-annealing regulate lattice disorder, amorphization kinetics, and residual-stress evolution in chemical vapor deposited (CVD) 4H-SiC. MD reveals surface-nucleated amorphization that propagates inward, whereas elevated implantation temperatures activate defect recombination pathways that suppress amorphous-layer formation. Raman signatures of optical-phonon shifts, linewidth broadening, and amorphization bands track the coupled evolution of lattice disorder and stress. Experimentally, increasing implantation temperature smooths the surface (Sa 0.133 → 0.101 nm) and reduces the amorphous-layer thickness (from ∼700 nm at 25°C to undetectable at 500°C), while driving more compressive residual stress (−57 → −132 MPa). Post-annealing largely restores phonon lifetimes and eliminates amorphization signatures, consistent with the recovery trends predicted by MD. These results delineate a thermal-treatment window that controls amorphization and residual stress in 4H-SiC, providing a transferable Raman-based methodology for nondestructive assessment of implantation-induced damage in compound semiconductors. ...
Conference paper (2025) - Zhoudong Yang, Xinyue Wang, Yanyan Zhang, Yuanhui Zuo, Hongyu Tang, Xuejun Fan, Guoqi Zhang, Jiajie Fan
4H-SiC is widely employed in power electronic devices operating under high frequencies, voltages, and temperatures due to its exceptional physical properties. However, its inherent high hardness and elastic modulus induce inevitable residual stress during device fabrication. Raman spectroscopy, which leverages lattice dynamics, offers an effective, non-destructive, rapid, and contactless method for measuring these stresses. Nevertheless, its accuracy critically depends on precisely determining the Raman phonon deformation potential constant. This work investigates mechanically induced Raman shifts in 4H-SiC via first-principles calculations and in-situ Raman spectroscopy under hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic stress conditions. The E2(TO) and A1(LO) phonon modes exhibit sensitivity to hydrostatic stress, whereas A1(LO) remains largely unaffected under shear, reflecting directional vibrational differences. Theoretical predictions and experimental measurements agree well within 16% error, highlighting the effectiveness of Raman-based stress detection for 4H-SiC. This integrated theoretical–experimental approach provides a robust framework for stress and strain analysis, facilitating the design and fabrication of next-generation 4H-SiC electronic devices. ...
Journal article (2025) - Weiqi shi, Yifang Ding, Shaojun Fang, Hong Zhou, Jiao Qi, Jiajie Fan, Rongjun Zhang, Guoqi Zhang, Hongyu Tang
Van der Waals heterojunctions (vdWHs) have garnered significant attention for their promising applications in optoelectronics, attributed to their exceptional physical attributes. In this study, we present a straightforward approach to fabricating high-performance vdWHs photodetectors. Specifically, we prepared WSOx/WS2 vdWH photodetectors through the ozone oxidation of a WS2 thin films at 100 °C. To characterize the morphology and optical properties of both the WS2 and WSOx/WS2 thin films, we utilized atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy. Additionally, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was employed to delve into the structural evolution by scrutinizing the bonding states of W, O, and S in the WS2 before and after the ozone oxidation process. The resultant WSOx/WS2 vdWH photodetectors exhibited impressive photoelectric performance at wavelengths of 475 nm and 532 nm. It demonstrated a high responsivity of 230.7 A/W, a remarkable specific detectivity of 1.794 × 1011 Jones, and a swift response speed of 60 ms at 475 nm. Furthermore, first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) were conducted to validate the oxidation kinetics of monolayer WS2, the type II energy band alignment, and the interlayer charge transfer within the WSOx/WS2 vdWH. This research contributes novel insights into the synthesis of two-dimensional transition metal oxides (TMOs)-transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) heterostructures for photodetector applications. ...
Conference paper (2025) - Xuyang Yan, Zhoudong Yang, Chao Gu, Tiancheng Tian, Xuejun Fan, Guoqi Zhang, Jiajie Fan
Accurate characterization and calculation of the interfacial stresses are of key importance for the optimization of the chip sintering process and the evaluation of the long-term reliability of the chip interconnect. In this study, the pioneering application of confocal Raman spectroscopy for the accurate, rapid, and nondestructive characterization of interfacial stresses at the interconnections of silicon carbide chips was undertaken. Silicon carbide chips (5 mm ∗ 5 mm) were mounted to active metal brazing substrates by pressure-assisted sintering using copper nanoparticles. Subsequently, finite element simulations were used to model the thermally induced deformation and stress in the SiC chip. The thermally induced warpage of the SiC chip was then measured using interferometry. Finally, confocal Raman spectroscopy was employed to measure the interface stress distribution at the SiC sintered copper interface. The results showed that finite element simulations could not accurately assess the thermally induced deformation and stress in the SiC chip. The proposed method based on confocal Raman spectroscopy for testing chip interconnection interface stresses achieved an excellent balance between accuracy, non-contact measurement, and non-destructive testing. The residual stress at the backside interface of the SiC chip was concentrated in the central region of the chip, with compressive stress values ranging from -139 MPa to -165 MPa. Theoretically, this study provides a new framework for modeling and researching the reliability of electronic packaging interfaces. ...
Journal article (2025) - Chao Gu, Wei Chen, Hao Guan, Jing Jiang, Tiancheng Tian, Junwei Chen, Xuyang Yan, Guoqi Zhang, Jiajie Fan, More authors...
Reducing parasitic parameters and thermal resistance is critical for advancing power electronic devices. This article designs and evaluates the three printed circuit board (PCB) embedded 1200 V SiC mosfet half-bridge packaging cells, where the traditional wire bonding process is replaced by a redistribution layer (RDL) technique. A comprehensive evaluation of their electrical performance, thermal management, and mechanical performance is conducted. The three solutions that employ panel, active metal brazing (AMB), and lead—frame carriers, are developed through a streamlined process that includes die attach, molding, drilling, plating, and etching. This packaging approach readily reduces the parasitic inductance to below 5 nH. By utilizing a single-layer RDL with mutual inductance cancellation, the power loop inductance is reduced to as low as 2.4 nH (at 10 MHz), and the gate loop inductance to 1.57 nH (at 10 MHz). The junction-to-case thermal resistances of the three solutions are 1.88, 1.03, and 0.73 K/W, respectively. Compared with the other two packaging cells, the cell selecting AMB as a carrier reduces SiC mosfet operational stress and deformation by approximately 34% and 75%. The lead—frame carrier offers superior thermal dissipation for potential TO package replacement in half-bridge topologies, while the panel solution is promising for dual-sided cooling applications. With low thermal resistance, minimal stress, and excellent backside electrical insulation, the packaging cell with an AMB carrier is ideally suited for integration with heatsinks in traction inverters. ...
Journal article (2025) - Leiming Du, Gerald Schaffar, René H. Poelma, Jiajie Fan, Willem D. van Driel, Xuejun Fan, Daniel Kiener, Guoqi Zhang, Verena Maier-Kiener
Sintered Cu nanoparticles (NPs) are promising for high-performance electronics due to their excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, as well as mechanical reliability. This study investigates the microscale mechanical behavior of sintered Cu NPs with a bimodal particle size distribution, focusing on strain rate and temperature effects. Micro-pillar compression tests were performed across strain rates of 0.0001 s−1 to 0.01 s−1 and temperatures from 25 °C to 350 °C. Results show that higher strain rates enhance yield strength through strain-rate hardening, while elevated temperatures lead to thermal softening and reduced mechanical stability. The Anand viscoplastic model accurately predicts these deformation behaviors. Microstructural analysis via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals localized deformation at 175 °C, with dislocations concentrated near the top surface and persistent porosity below, whereas at 350 °C, re-sintering and grain boundary diffusion create a denser microstructure. Phase-field fracture modeling further elucidates crack propagation, emphasizing the role of pore size and temperature. This combined experimental and modeling approach enhances understanding of viscoplastic deformation and fracture mechanisms in sintered Cu NPs, informing their use in interconnects, power electronics and thermal management systems. ...
Journal article (2025) - Jinyuan Zhang, Wei Chen, Junwei Chen, Baotong Guo, Hongyu Tang, Chuan Chen, Guoqi Zhang, Jiajie Fan
With the rapid development of new energy vehicles and offshore wind power systems in coastal cities, the application scale of power devices is constantly increasing. However, the corrosion problem of power packaging interconnection materials caused by the humid air and chlorine-rich environment near the sea is gradually emerging. This study addresses the corrosion protection of sintered nano-copper by innovatively employing atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) technology with hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) as precursor to construct organic-inorganic hybrid hydrophobic coatings on copper surfaces. Experimental results demonstrate that the coating exhibits a three-dimensional crosslinked Si-O network structure. The synergistic effect between surface micron-scale spherical clusters and methyl groups elevates the contact angle by 50 % to 153.1° Electrochemical characterization reveals that the coating positively shifts corrosion potential by 0.035 V and reduces corrosion current density from 6.008×10−7 A/cm2 to 5.542×10−7 A/cm2, while maintaining higher activation energy across the experimental temperature range (30–60℃). EIS tests show that the coating effectively increases the charge transfer impedance of the sample, indicating an improvement in corrosion resistance. The 168-hour immersion test confirms effective barrier against Cl−corrosive attack with preserved substrate integrity. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations elucidate that unsaturated methylated fragments in HMDSO preferentially graft onto copper surface via chemisorption, where strong interfacial bonding energies (-2.26 ∼ -4.38 eV) facilitate cleavage and crosslinking to form stable siloxane networks. This work proposes a novel anti-corrosion surface engineering strategy for copper interconnects, while revealing the plasma-induced interfacial bonding mechanisms of hybrid coatings, providing both theoretical and experimental foundations for developing durable electronic packaging materials. ...
Journal article (2025) - Zhoudong Yang, Jing Tian, Xinyue Wang, Junwei Chen, Yuanhui Zuo, Rongjun Zhang, Hongyu Tang, Xuejun Fan, Guoqi Zhang, Jiajie Fan
This Letter presents a combined analytical and experimental method to effectively decouple the radial and tangential residual stress fields induced by Berkovich nanoindentation in single-crystalline 4H-SiC using micro-Raman spectroscopy. By integrating the Raman stress characterization model with Yoffe’s expanding cavity model, precise extraction of individual residual stress components around the indentation region is realized. Through the vertical backscattering micro-Raman mapping of the E2 phonon mode, we systematically investigate the residual stress distribution near the indentation. The results highlight significant anisotropy in nanoindentation-induced stress fields, strongly dependent on the crystal orientation of 4H-SiC, predominantly featuring radial tensile stress gradients. This comprehensive theoretical–experimental approach offers a robust optical framework for residual stress characterization in 4H-SiC and provides foundational insights for extending Raman spectroscopy-based stress characterization to other crystalline materials and related device structures. ...
Journal article (2025) - Xuyang Yan, Leiming Du, Chao Gu, Tiancheng Tian, Chenshan Gao, Guoqi Zhang, Jiajie Fan
This study investigates the size-dependent mechanical behavior and deformation mechanisms of sintered copper (Cu) nanoparticles (NPs) through micro-pillar (2–6 μm diameter) compression tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD) analysis and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In-situ micro-pillar compression tests reveal a 25.9% reduction in yield strength (812 ± 64 MPa to 643 ± 47 MPa) with increasing pillar size, attributed to dislocation starvation in smaller pillars and porosity-driven strain localization in larger ones. TKD quantifies dynamic grain refinement (24.9% reduction in grain size) and geometrically necessary dislocation (GND) density escalation (74.8%), driven by stress gradients and grain boundary-mediated plasticity. Nanoindentation-derived elastic modulus (48.3 ± 11.1 GPa) exceeds micropillar values (29.5–33.9 GPa), reflecting substrate constraints in bulk testing. Microstructural analysis identifies a transition from shear banding in high-porosity pillars to uniform plasticity in denser systems, mediated by texture evolution (Brass/S components) and Schmid factor redistribution (62% increase in high-slip-activity grains). MD simulations of pressure-sintered Cu NPs elucidate atomic-scale mechanisms: dislocation nucleation at sintering necks, pore collapse-induced strain localization, and grain boundary sliding. These findings establish a multiscale framework linking porosity, grain refinement, and dislocation dynamics to mechanical performance, emphasizing microstructural optimization for enhanced reliability in microelectronic applications. The integration of MD simulations bridges atomic-scale mechanisms to microscale deformation, providing actionable insights for tailoring sintered Cu NPs via reduced porosity and controlled grain boundary architectures. ...
Journal article (2025) - Zhoudong Yang, Yuanhui Zuo, Xinyue Wang, Hong Zhou, Hongyu Tang, Changran Zheng, Rongjun Zhang, Guoqi Zhang, Jiajie Fan, More authors...
High-energy Al ion implantation is an indispensable technique for achieving precise doping in fabricating 4H‑SiC devices. However, it inevitably introduces interfacial damage and residual stress that can compromise subsequent manufacturing processes and device reliability. Conventional destructive characterization techniques cannot provide real-time, in‑situ, nondestructive monitoring under process conditions, creating a major bottleneck in quality control. Here, we establish a predictive modeling framework that integrates multiscale simulations with advanced, non‑destructive micro‑Raman spectroscopy to systematically investigate the evolution of high-energy Al ion implantation–induced interface defects and residual stress in 4H-SiC. Simulation results reveal a linear relationship between the implantation dose and the formation of vacancies and interstitial defects, while the stress accumulation tends to saturate at higher doses due to a dynamic equilibrium among defect interactions. Complementary micro‐Raman spectroscopy corroborates the simulations, showing that the damaged interface layer deepens from approximately 300 nm at a dose of 1014 ions cm−2 to nearly 500 nm at 1016 ions cm−2, consistent with Monte Carlo predictions. Furthermore, the molecular dynamics simulations capture a trend of the implantation stress evolution with strong concurrence with the Raman-measured residual stress. This combined computational–experimental approach elucidates the fundamental mechanisms governing defect formation and residual stress in ion‑implanted 4H‑SiC, establishes implantation dose as the pivotal role of 4H-SiC in defect density and residual stress, and underscores the utility of optical‑based characterization in real‑time, non‑invasive quality control for advanced manufacturing. ...