Laser-induced modification of electron field emission from nanocrystalline diamond films

A significant reduction of electron field emission thresholds resulting from ArF laser irradiation of nanocrystalline diamond films in borazine (B3N3H6) and ammonia (NH3) atmospheres is reported. The change of emission characteristics is not connected with either laser surface graphitization or formation of bulk defects. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy surface analysis and Raman spectroscopy data from these samples show that laser irradiation results 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 Angstrom. 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. [S0021-8979(99)04112-2].