Microstructure of amorphic diamond films

Abstract

It has been previously reported that layers of amorphic diamond can be grown in a UHV environment free from hydrogen with a laser plasma source. Some advantages are offered by this technique which produces films that adhere more readily to materials for which there are important applications. Theory has recently suggested a structure for amorphic diamond that comprises nodules of carbon atoms linked by sp3 bonds in a matrix of other polytypes and the purpose of this article is to communicate strong evidence in support of that hypothesis. Extensive examinations of a variety of films with a scanning tunneling microscope show a clearly prevalent structure composed of dense nodules. Grain size is about 1000 Å and the diamond character is attested by the agreement of morphology, high density, optical properties, soft x-ray spectroscopy, hardness, and lack of appreciable hydrogen. Measurements agree in supporting a fraction of about 75% diamond contents. The principal conclusion is that this material prepared with a laser plasma source has the structure expected for amorphic diamond.