Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 June 2015
We have studied electrochemical Li deposition/dissolution processes at amorphous solid electrolyte (LiPON) interfaces with 30-nm-thick-Cu-current collectors at different current densities by in-situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM). When the current density is smaller than 300 μA cm−2, Li islands continue to grow under a Cu film without coalescing with their neighbors. Consequently, they produce small cracks in the Cu film leading to isolated Li rod growth from the cracks. On the other hand, a current density of 1.0 mA cm−2 provokes the nucleation of Li islands with a higher number density. They rapidly coalesce under a Cu film in all lateral directions before cracking the Cu film. High current density conditions therefore suppress Li rod growths.