Laser-induced modification of electron field emission from nanocrystallinediamond films

A significant reduction of electron field emission thresholds resulting fro m ArF laser irradiation of nanocrystalline diamond films in borazine (B3N3H 6) and ammonia (NH3) atmospheres is reported. The change of emission charac teristics is not connected with either laser surface graphitization or form ation of bulk defects. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy surface analysis an d Raman spectroscopy data from these samples show that laser irradiation re sults in the synthesis of ultrathin layers of boron-carbon-nitrogen and in B and N atoms intergrain penetration into the film to a depth above 50 Angs trom. The synthesis of the ternary B-C-N and the presence of sp(2) bonded C -N compounds is demonstrated. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S002 1-8979(99)04112-2].