Electrically conducting ion tracks in diamond-like carbon films for field emission

Electrically conducting channels in an insulating carbon matrix were produced by 140-MeV Xe ion irradiation. The high local energy deposition of the individual ions along their pathes causes a rearrangement of the carbon atoms and leads to a transformation of the insulating, diamond-like (sp(3)-bonding) form of carbon into the conducting, graphitic (sp(2)-bonding) configuration. The conducting ion tracks are clearly seen in the current mapping performed with an atomic force microscope (AFM). These conducting tracks are of possible use in field emission applications.