Photon excitation effect on formation of graphene nanocrystallites during carbon film growth process

Abstract

In this article, we propose a method to deposit nanocrystallite embedded carbon films by electron cyclotron resonance plasma sputtering with photon irradiation cooperated with electron or Ar+ ion irradiation. We found photon irradiation can enhance the growth of graphene nanocrystallites during carbon film deposition. The energy transfer from the photon to the metastable carbon structure excites the growth of sp2 hybridized graphene nanocrystallites, and photon-excited electrons can be accelerated by the bias and further promote the graphene nanocrystallite growth. Photons are the second quantum medium we found that can be used to deposit nanocrystallite embedded carbon films, and their quantum properties with electric neutrality can help us to further understand the formation of the carbon nanocrystallite structure and may shed light on the quantum fabrication of desired materials.

High-Quality AB Bilayer Graphene Films by Direct Solar-Thermal Chemical Vapor Deposition

“…Photocatalytic effects in thermochemical reactions have been investigated for synthesis of graphitic materials. Researchers have reported photon irradiation effects on enhancing graphene growth 45 to the interaction of photon energy with the carbon structure, leading to the excitation and relaxation of electrons and a stable carbon sp 2 hybridization during the synthesis process. Further studies are warranted to isolate such effects in the direct solar process.…”

“…The variable aperture was implemented on the solar cavity to regulate temperature and to compensate for the sun’s transient behavior through predictive models and PID control. Additionally, supplemental heat sources using Joule heating can provide precise control of temperature, similar to the studies on plasma-assisted hot wall furnaces and photon-assisted excitation with electron or ion irradiation, where two heat sources are used for graphene synthesis. Therefore, utilizing solar heating provides an opportunity to harvest a renewable energy resource with higher electromagnetic radiant energy flux than infrared sources to heat a sample locally in a short time without physical substrate contact or the need for a stabilizing medium.…”