Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Thin Film Carbon Nanofuses For Permanent Data Storage, Kevin Robert Laughlin

Theses and Dissertations

We have fabricated nanofuses from thin-film, arc-evaporation carbon for use in permanent data storage. Thin film carbon fuses have fewer fabrication barriers and retain the required resistivity and structural stability to work as a data storage medium. Carbon thin films were characterized for their electrical, microstructural, and chemical bonding properties. Annealing the thin-film carbon in an argon environment at 400°C reduced the resistivity from about 4*10^-2 Ω cm as deposited down to about 5*10^-4 Ω cm, allowing a lower blowing voltage. Nanofuses with widths ranging from 200 nm down to 60 nm were fabricated and tested. They blow …