Grain size effect on twin density in as-deposited nanocrystalline Cu film

Here, we report the formation of twins and grain size dependence of twin density in nanocrystalline (NC) copper films fabricated by pulsed laser deposition. It is found that the percentage of grains containing twins decreases with decreasing grain size in the grain size range of 2-10nm. Surprisingly, although the twins were formed during the deposition process without mechanical deformation, our analysis suggests that they are most likely deformation twins formed under high internal stress existing in the NC Cu films. This phenomenon may also happen in other NC metallic thin films where internal stresses are high.