Article contents
Secondary Electron Emission Studies of Diamond Surfaces
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
Abstract
Diamond exhibits high secondary-electron yields which vary strongly with sample preparation and sample treatment. In this study, we identify some of the factors that govern the secondary-electron emission yield of diamond. Comparative studies are made with polycrystalline diamond films having different dopants (boron or nitrogen), dopant concentrations and surface conditions (hydrogen-terminated or oxidized). In these studies, the total electron yield as a function of the incident-electron energy and the energy distribution of the secondary emitted electrons are measured. The results show that both electrical conductivity and hydrogen-termination play essential roles in the secondary-electron emission process. For hydrogen-terminated samples, the energy distribution shows a large and narrow peak at the onset of electron emission. The long mean-free path of the secondary electrons and the low or negative electron affinity are essential to the exceedingly high electron yield of diamond.
- Type
- Research Article
- Information
- Copyright
- Copyright © Materials Research Society 1996
References
REFERENCES
- 3
- Cited by