Direct observation of atomic images of ultrathin diamond and diamond-like films

Abstract

Atomic images of ultrathin diamond and diamond-like films grown on tungsten tips have been directly observed by field ion microscopy (FIM). The atomic image of diamond exhibits a triangular topography. It suggests that the diamond crystal is preferentially grown along the [111] direction during the initial growth-stage. FI images of diamond-like films show an amorphous random network of carbon atoms with some atomic arrangement of diamond crystals along the [111] direction too. It is found that there exists a strong reflection electron diffraction (RED) pattern of tungsten carbide (WC) from the tip used for FIM imaging of the diamond film.