The diamond surface: atomic and electronic structure

Abstract

Experimental studies of the diamond surface with primary emphasis on the (111) surface are presented. Aspects of the diamond surface which are addressed include (1) the electronic structure, (2) the atomic structure, and (3) the effect of termination of the lattice by foreign atoms. Limited studies of graphite are discussed for comparison with the diamond results. Experimental results from valence band and core level photoemission spectroscopy (PES), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and low energy electron diffraction (LEED) are used to study and characterize both the clean and hydrogenated surface. In addition, the interaction of hydrogen with the diamond surface is examined using results from vibrational high resolution low energy electron loss spectroscopy and photon stimulated ion desorption (PSID) yield at photon energies just above the carbon k-edge. Both EELS and PSID verify that the mechanically polished 1 × 1 surface is hydrogen terminated and also that the reconstructed 2×2/2×1 surface is hydrogen free. We apply this basic knowledge of the clean diamond surface and of diamond-hydrogen systematics to understanding of the fundamental growth characteristics of diamond films.