Nanostructure and paramagnetic centres in diamond-like carbon: Effect of Ar dilution in PECVD process

Jones, Benjamin, Wright, S, Barklie, R.C., Tyas, J., Franks, J. and Reynolds, A.J. (2008) Nanostructure and paramagnetic centres in diamond-like carbon: Effect of Ar dilution in PECVD process. Diamond and Related Materials, 17 (7). pp. 1629-1632. ISSN 0925-9635

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Abstract

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films were deposited utilising plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) with acetylene precursor, diluted with 0 – 45% argon. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements show the presence of one paramagnetic centre with no change in spin population over the range of film deposition conditions. However, the EPR linewidth decreases with increasing argon content of the precursor mix, suggesting an enhancement of motional narrowing due to an increase in electron delocalization, related to an increase in the sp2 cluster size. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements indicate the surface of the DLC is formed of nanoscale asperities of material. With radii of tens of nanometres for films deposited with zero argon, the size of the features increases with the argon dilution of the acetylene. Energy dispersive x-ray analysis and electrical measurements further elucidate the changes in film structure.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Diamond-like carbon; Plasma CVD; Defects; Paramagnetic resonance; Surface characterization
Subjects:	Q Science > QC Physics Q Science > QD Chemistry T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
Schools:	School of Applied Sciences
Related URLs:	Author
Depositing User:	Ben Jones
Date Deposited:	19 Dec 2013 12:24
Last Modified:	04 Dec 2016 03:18
URI:	http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/19311

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