This paper reports an initial study investigating the effect of controlled deposition of nanoparticles at multilayer interfaces and explores the mechanical effect of particles on laminate structures. Nanoparticles with diameter of about 4.5 nm were specifically deposited at the interface between Cu and Ni laminates by forced agglomeration of magnetron sputtered ions and the hardness of these films were measured using nanoindentation. To find out about the differences in mechanical properties and thermal stability of Cu/Ni laminates with and without W nanoparticles, refer our recent publication. The ability to deposit particles with such precise control has the potential to open up an exciting new field of research.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026412752030441X