Ainealusteks

Ainealusteks is a term used in materials science and chemistry to describe the underlying material on which another layer is deposited, grown, or attached. The substrate provides mechanical support and interacts with the functional layer through adhesion, thermal expansion, and chemical compatibility, influencing the overall performance of the material stack.

In practice the choice of substrate is dictated by chemical stability, surface roughness, optical or electrical properties, and cost. The Estonian word combines aine (substance) and alus (base/substrate), with the suffix -eks marking the plural often used in technical contexts.

Common applications include thin-film deposition (semiconductors, coatings), catalysis (supported catalysts), biosensors, and microfabrication. Properties such as chemical inertness, surface energy, and lattice matching influence the performance of the entire stack and its durability under processing conditions.

Substrate preparation is crucial and typically involves cleaning, drying, and surface modification (plasma treatment, silanization, adhesion promoters) to improve adhesion and reduce contamination. Thermal and mechanical stresses must be managed to prevent delamination and deformation during fabrication or use.

Typical substrate materials include silicon wafers, glass, quartz, mica, sapphire, various metals (gold, aluminum, copper), oxides (Al2O3, SiO2), and polymer films like PDMS or polyimide. The choice balances durability, process compatibility, and cost, as well as the specific requirements of the intended application.