Diamond nanocrystals in hydrogenated amorphous carbon grown by ion sputtering of graphite

Abstract

An observation of diamond nanocrystal nucleation in the course of hydrogenated amorphous carbon film growth under ion sputtering of graphite is reported. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (100 keV), selected-area electron diffraction and optical absorption (1–6 eV) studies of the prepared hydrogenated amorphous carbon films were performed to characterize their structure. A size distribution function of diamond nanocrystals is derived from TEM images. The optical data are analysed in terms of the medium-range order present in the film. A mechanism for the nucleation of diamond nanocrystals is discussed.