CARBON SUPERATOM THIN-FILMS

We report on quantum molecular dynamics simulations of C-28 deposition on a semiconducting surface. Our results show that under certain depo sition conditions C-28's act as building blocks on a nanometer scale t o form a thin film of nearly defect-free molecules. The C-28's behave as carbon superatoms, with the majority of them being threefold or fou rfold coordinated, similar to carbon atoms in amorphous systems. The m icroscopic structure of the deposited film supports recent suggestions about the stability of a new form of carbon, the hyperdiamond solid.