Elastic properties of ultrathin diamond/AlN membranes

Nanocrystalline diamond- (NCD) and AlN-based ultrathin single layer and bilayer membranes are investigated towards their mechanical properties. It is shown that chemo-mechanical polishing and heavy boron doping of NCD thin films do not impact the elastic properties of NCD layers as revealed by negligible variations of the NCD Young's modulus (E). In addition, it is demonstrated that the combination of NCD elastic layer and AlN piezo-actuator is highly suitable for the fabrication of mechanically stable ultrathin membranes in comparison to AlN single layer membranes. The elastic parameters of NCD/AlN heterostructures are mainly determined by the outstanding high Young's modulus of NCD (E=1019±19GPa). Such ultrathin unimorph membranes allow for fabrication of piezo-actuated AlN/NCD microlenses with tunable focus length. •Mechanical properties of nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) and AlN circular membranes•No influence of polishing of NCD thin films on the mechanical properties of NCD•No influence of heavy boron-doping on the mechanical properties of NCD•Demonstration of mechanically stable piezo-actuated NCD/AlN membranes•Reported performance of AlN/NCD microlenses with adjustable focus length