Characterization of diamond thin films: Diamond phase identification, surface morphology, and defect structures

Thin carbon films grown from a low pressure methane-hydrogen gas mixture by microwave plasma enhanced CVD have been examined by Auger electron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, electron and x-ray diffraction, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. They were determined to be similar to natural diamond in terms of composition, structure, and bonding. The surface morphology of the diamond films was a function of position on the sample surface and the methane concentration in the feedgas. Well-faceted diamond crystals were observed near the center of the sample whereas a less faceted, cauliflower texture was observed near the edge of the sample, presumably due to variations in temperature across the surface of the sample. Regarding methane concentration effects, threefold {111} faceted diamond crystals were predominant on a film grown at 0.3% CH₄ in H₂ while fourfold {100} facets were observed on films grown in 1.0% and 2.0% CH₄ in H₂. Transmission electron microscopy of the diamond films has shown that the majority of diamond crystals have a very high defect density comprised of {111} twins, {111} stacking faults, and dislocations. In addition, cross-sectional TEM has revealed a 50 Å epitaxial layer of β3–SiC at the diamond-silicon interface of a film grown with 0.3% CH₄ in H₂ while no such layer was observed on a diamond film grown in 2.0% CH₄ in H₂.