Stretchable gold conductors on elastomeric substrates
Abstract
Stripes of thin gold films are made on an elastomeric substrate with built-in compressive stress to form surface waves. Because these waves can be stretched flat they function as elastic electrical conductors. Surprisingly, we observe electrical continuity not only up to an external strain of ∼2% reached by stretching the films first flat (∼0.4%) and then to the fracture strain of free-standing gold films (∼1%), but up to ∼22%. Such large strains will permit making stretchable electric conductors that will be essential to three-dimensional electronic circuits.
- Publication:
-
Applied Physics Letters
- Pub Date:
- April 2003
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.1565683
- Bibcode:
- 2003ApPhL..82.2404L
- Keywords:
-
- 73.61.At;
- 68.60.Bs;
- 85.40.Ls;
- 81.40.Lm;
- 62.20.Fe;
- Metal and metallic alloys;
- Mechanical and acoustical properties;
- Metallization contacts interconnects;
- device isolation;
- Deformation plasticity and creep;
- Deformation and plasticity