Rilland Carl DG.

Agcaoili BS Mechanical Engineering

2019-03388 ME 197-WFW1
Week 2-2 Asynchronous Class Activity Task

1. Explain why the quality of diamond is determined by its crystalline structure?

- Diamonds can either be of two crystalline structures: monocrystalline or
polycrystalline. Monocrystalline diamonds are naturally found in nature while
polycrystalline diamonds are usually fabricated in MEMS in order to withstand
higher frequency, higher temperature and higher radiation applications.
- The arrangement of the atoms determines the quality and strength of a material.
The more order there is at the arrangement of atoms, the stronger and tougher
the material. If we take a look at the arrangement of the atoms of both
monocrystalline and polycrystalline diamonds, it can be seen that the
arrangements of their atoms are quite similar. Both of them have atoms that are
not randomly arranged and a pattern is clearly seen, this means that both of them
are of good quality and strength. The only difference is that the atom arrangement
of polycrystalline diamonds is wider because it is made of many single crystals
that are joined together. Even though the all single crystals varies in their
orientation, the atoms are still arranged orderly meaning that polycrystalline
diamonds are still of good quality and strength.
- Aside from the structure, the crystalline orientation is also important in
determining the quality. By changing the crystalline orientation, the spacing and
angles between the atoms also changes (can be seen through xrays of crystal
wafers). These changes contribute to changes in dimensions such as lengths,
widths, thickness as well as changes in electrical and mechanical properties such
as resistivity and bulk modulus.

2. Why are only polycrystalline and crystalline materials used as substrates for
microsystems components and devices?
- Because of their crystalline structure and orientation, polycrystalline and
crystalline materials are the only ones used as substrates in microsystems
components and devices. In microsystems, dimensions and orientations should
really be precise and these materials are better since they do not shatter like
amorphous solids and they break along the precise plane that is desired.
- Amorphous solids should really not be used since it will be difficult to control its
properties and quality by controlling its orientation since there is no
distinguishable orientation at all. The atoms are arranged randomly and there is
no visible pattern.