Amorphous solid systems: diamond-like carbon, carbides, films and multilayer structures

• Published in: Surface & coatings technology Vol. 48; no. 3; pp. 193 - 198
• Main Authors: Dorfman, V.F., Pypkin, B.N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 29.11.1991; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Exact sciences and technology; Metals. Metallurgy; Physics; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Multiple layer; Amorphous alloy; Carbon; Synthetic diamond; Carbides; Thin film
• ISSN: 0257-8972; 1879-3347
• DOI: 10.1016/0257-8972(91)90003-F

Diamond-like films (DLFs) may be considered as (1) a special kind of solid; (2) membranes with connected microscopic pores and (3) a matrix, the properties of which can be varied over a wide range by alloying. In W-Si alloyed DLFs all these structures are found, with resistances from 10 14 to 10 -4 ω cm. They are interesting as examples of percolation phenomena and for their possible practical applications. The expected pore diameter has been estimated at about 0.30-0.35 nm and the pore density at 10 21 cm -3. However, scanning tunnelling microscopy gave evidence of negligible pore density and a metallic state in high tungsten films. Low angle electron and X-ray diffraction, scanning tunnelling microscopy, high voltage (1 MeV) transmission scanning electron microscopy (TSEM) and the analysis of the emissive picture of a W-edge coated with a DLF have demonstrated the presence of a uniform amorphous structure up to the equiatomic proportion C:W. A study has been made of the short-term and long-term temperature stability of DLFs and of their resistance to degradation and oxidation and of their chemical and mechanical durability.