scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question

Showing papers on "Diamond published in 2012"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The experimental data agree well with the molecular dynamics simulations, corrected for the long-wavelength phonon contributions by means of the Klemens model, and are expected to stimulate further studies aimed at a better understanding of thermal phenomena in 2D crystals.
Abstract: Among other exotic properties graphene exhibits the highest thermal conductivity observed so far. This is true at least for graphene composed of only 12C atoms. However, it is now shown experimentally that regions of 13C atoms can substantially reduce the thermal conductivity. Aside from their fundamental importance, these results suggest that thermal conductivity can be tailored by varying the relative amounts of carbon isotopes used.

863 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A robust method for scanning a single nitrogen-vacancy centre within tens of nanometres from a sample surface that addresses both of these concerns is demonstrated, and is able to image magnetic domains with widths of 25 nm, and demonstrate a magnetic field sensitivity of 56 nT Hz(-1/2) at a frequency of 33 kHz, which is unprecedented for scanning nitrogen-Vacancy centres.
Abstract: The nitrogen-vacancy defect centre in diamond has potential applications in nanoscale electric and magnetic-field sensing, single-photon microscopy, quantum information processing and bioimaging. These applications rely on the ability to position a single nitrogen-vacancy centre within a few nanometres of a sample, and then scan it across the sample surface, while preserving the centre's spin coherence and readout fidelity. However, existing scanning techniques, which use a single diamond nanocrystal grafted onto the tip of a scanning probe microscope, suffer from short spin coherence times due to poor crystal quality, and from inefficient far-field collection of the fluorescence from the nitrogen-vacancy centre. Here, we demonstrate a robust method for scanning a single nitrogen-vacancy centre within tens of nanometres from a sample surface that addresses both of these concerns. This is achieved by positioning a single nitrogen-vacancy centre at the end of a high-purity diamond nanopillar, which we use as the tip of an atomic force microscope. Our approach ensures long nitrogen-vacancy spin coherence times (∼75 µs), enhanced nitrogen-vacancy collection efficiencies due to waveguiding, and mechanical robustness of the device (several weeks of scanning time). We are able to image magnetic domains with widths of 25 nm, and demonstrate a magnetic field sensitivity of 56 nT Hz(-1/2) at a frequency of 33 kHz, which is unprecedented for scanning nitrogen-vacancy centres.

720 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Recent achievements in the field of surface modification of nanoscale diamond including the establishment of a homogeneous initial surface termination, the covalent and non‐covalent immobilization of different functional moieties as well as the subsequent grafting of larger (bio)molecules onto previously functionalized nanodiamond are discussed.
Abstract: Nanoscale diamond has recently received considerable attention due to the various possible applications such as luminescence imaging, drug delivery, quantum engineering, surface coatings, seeding etc. For most of these fields a suitable surface termination and functionalization of the diamond materials are required. In this feature article we discuss recent achievements in the field of surface modification of nanoscale diamond including the establishment of a homogeneous initial surface termination, the covalent and non-covalent immobilization of different functional moieties as well as the subsequent grafting of larger (bio)molecules onto previously functionalized nanodiamond.

508 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The zero-phonon transition rate of a nitrogen-vacancy center is enhanced by a factor of ∼70 by coupling to a photonic crystal resonator fabricated in monocrystalline diamond using standard semiconductor fabrication techniques.
Abstract: The zero-phonon transition rate of a nitrogen-vacancy center is enhanced by a factor of ∼70 by coupling to a photonic crystal resonator fabricated in monocrystalline diamond using standard semiconductor fabrication techniques. Photon correlation measurements on the spectrally filtered zero-phonon line show antibunching, a signature that the collected photoluminescence is emitted primarily by a single nitrogen-vacancy center. The linewidth of the coupled nitrogen-vacancy center and the spectral diffusion are characterized using high-resolution photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy.

425 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An experimental study of the longitudinal electron-spin relaxation time (T1) of negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy ensembles in diamond as a function of temperature and magnetic field reveals three processes responsible for T1 relaxation.
Abstract: We present an experimental study of the longitudinal electron-spin relaxation time (T1) of negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV) ensembles in diamond. T1 was studied as a function of temperature from 5 to 475 K and magnetic field from 0 to 630 G for several samples with various NV and nitrogen concentrations. Our studies reveal three processes responsible for T1 relaxation. Above room temperature, a two-phonon Raman process dominates; below room temperature, we observe an Orbach-type process with an activation energy of 73(4) meV, which closely matches the local vibrational modes of the NV center. At yet lower temperatures, sample dependent cross-relaxation processes dominate, resulting in temperature independent values of T1 from milliseconds to minutes. The value of T1 in this limit depends sensitively on the magnetic field and can be tuned by more than 1 order of magnitude.

361 citations


01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: Graphene is a material that invites superlatives as mentioned in this paper, and it has been much in the news recently, especially following the 2010 Nobel Prize to Andre Geim and Konstantin Novaselov for their groundbreaking experiments on graphene.
Abstract: Graphene is a material that invites superlatives. It has been much in the news recently, especially following the 2010 Nobel Prize to Andre Geim and Konstantin Novaselov for their ‘groundbreaking experiments’ on graphene. A two-dimensional sheet of carbon atoms linked in a hexagonal lattice, just one atom thick, it is the thinnest known material, is harder than diamond and stronger than steel, while still very stretchable (by up to 20%), has an electrical conductivity higher than copper, and has an exceptionally high thermal conductivity.

322 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors demonstrate single-photon generation by electrical excitation from a single neutral nitrogen-vacancy center in a p-i-n diamond diode.
Abstract: Researchers demonstrate single-photon generation by electrical excitation from a single neutral nitrogen–vacancy centre in a p–i–n diamond diode. The photon generation rate at room temperature was 4 × 104 photons s−1 for an injection current of 14 mA. The researchers also investigated the carrier recombination dynamics of the device.

322 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the thermal conductivity of diamond nanowires has been investigated and unusual features unique to this system have been revealed, which point to a potential use of diamond nanoparticles for the precise control of thermal flow in nanoscale devices.
Abstract: Usingab initiocalculations we have investigated the thermal conductivity (κ) of diamond nanowires, unveiling unusual features unique to this system. In sharp contrast with Si, κ(T) of diamond nanowires as thick as 400 nm still increase monotonically with temperature up to 300 K, and room-temperature size effects are stronger than for Si. A marked dependence of κ on the crystallographic orientation is predicted, which is apparent even at room temperature. [001] growth direction always possesses the largest κ in diamond nanowires. The predicted features point to a potential use of diamond nanowires for the precise control of thermal flow in nanoscale devices.

311 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an allotrope of carbon with Cmmm symmetry was found to be more stable than graphite for pressures above 10 GPa, which is known as $Z$-carbon and is formed by pure $s{p}^{3}$ bonds.
Abstract: Through a systematic structural search we found an allotrope of carbon with Cmmm symmetry which we predict to be more stable than graphite for pressures above 10 GPa. This material, which we refer to as $Z$-carbon, is formed by pure $s{p}^{3}$ bonds and it provides an explanation to several features in experimental x-ray diffraction and Raman spectra of graphite under pressure. The transition from graphite to $Z$-carbon can occur through simple sliding and buckling of graphene sheets. Our calculations predict that $Z$-carbon is a transparent wide band-gap semiconductor with a hardness comparable to diamond.

275 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work reports a three-dimensional fabrication technique based on anisotropic plasma etching at an oblique angle to the sample surface used to fabricate free-standing nanoscale components in bulk single-crystal diamond, including nanobeam mechanical resonators, optical waveguides, and photonic crystal and microdisk cavities.
Abstract: A variety of nanoscale photonic, mechanical, electronic, and optoelectronic devices require scalable thin film fabrication. Typically, the device layer is defined by thin film deposition on a substrate of a different material, and optical or electrical isolation is provided by the material properties of the substrate or by removal of the substrate. For a number of materials this planar approach is not feasible, and new fabrication techniques are required to realize complex nanoscale devices. Here, we report a three-dimensional fabrication technique based on anisotropic plasma etching at an oblique angle to the sample surface. As a proof of concept, this angled-etching methodology is used to fabricate free-standing nanoscale components in bulk single-crystal diamond, including nanobeam mechanical resonators, optical waveguides, and photonic crystal and microdisk cavities. Potential applications of the fabricated prototypes range from classical and quantum photonic devices to nanomechanical-based sensors and actuators.

270 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work presents a method for the fabrication of one- and two-dimensional photonic crystal microcavities with quality factors of up to 700 in single crystal diamond using a post-processing etching technique.
Abstract: Diamond is an attractive material for photonic quantum technologies because its colour centres have a number of outstanding properties, including bright single photon emission and long spin coherence times. To take advantage of these properties it is favourable to directly fabricate optical microcavities in high-quality diamond samples. Such microcavities could be used to control the photons emitted by the colour centres or to couple widely separated spins. Here, we present a method for the fabrication of one- and two-dimensional photonic crystal microcavities with quality factors of up to 700 in single crystal diamond. Using a post-processing etching technique, we tune the cavity modes into resonance with the zero phonon line of an ensemble of silicon-vacancy colour centres, and we measure an intensity enhancement factor of 2.8. The controlled coupling of colour centres to photonic crystal microcavities could pave the way to larger-scale photonic quantum devices based on single crystal diamond. Optical microcavities have been fabricated in single-crystal diamond and tuned into resonance with the zero phonon line of an ensemble of silicon-vacancy colour centres, which results in an enhancement of spontaneous emission.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work is able to amplify and detect the weak magnetic field noise from a single nuclear spin located ∼3 nm from the centre using dynamical decoupling control, and achieve a detectable hyperfine coupling strength as weak as ∼300 Hz.
Abstract: A single nuclear spin is detected at a distance of ∼3 nm from a nitrogen-vacancy centre in diamond.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrate nanometer-precision depth control of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center creation near the surface of synthetic diamond using an in situ nitrogen delta-doping technique during plasmaenhanced chemical vapor deposition.
Abstract: We demonstrate nanometer-precision depth control of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center creation near the surface of synthetic diamond using an in situ nitrogen delta-doping technique during plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Despite their proximity to the surface, doped NV centers with depths (d) ranging from 5 to 100 nm display long spin coherence times, T2 > 100 μs at d = 5 nm and T2 > 600 μs at d ≥ 50 nm. The consistently long spin coherence observed in such shallow NV centers enables applications such as atomic-scale external spin sensing and hybrid quantum architectures.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown that use of micro-semi-balls made of nanodiamond as second-stage anvils in conventional diamond anvil cells drastically extends the achievable pressure range in static compression experiments to above 600 GPa.
Abstract: Since invention of the diamond anvil cell technique in the late 1950s for studying materials at extreme conditions, the maximum static pressure generated so far at room temperature was reported to be about 400 GPa. Here we show that use of micro-semi-balls made of nanodiamond as second-stage anvils in conventional diamond anvil cells drastically extends the achievable pressure range in static compression experiments to above 600 GPa. Micro-anvils (10–50 μm in diameter) of superhard nanodiamond (with a grain size below ∼50 nm) were synthesized in a large volume press using a newly developed technique. In our pilot experiments on rhenium and gold we have studied the equation of state of rhenium at pressures up to 640 GPa and demonstrated the feasibility and crucial necessity of the in situ ultra high-pressure measurements for accurate determination of material properties at extreme conditions. The study of materials at high pressure has been limited by the conditions achievable using single-crystal diamond anvils. The use of anvils that incorporate a second stage consisting of two hemispherical nanocrystalline diamond micro-balls, extends the range of static pressures that can be generated in the lab.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An integrated nanophotonic network in diamond, consisting of a ring resonator coupled to an optical waveguide with grating in- and outcouplers, observes a large overall photon extraction efficiency and high quality factors of ring resonators.
Abstract: We demonstrate an integrated nanophotonic network in diamond, consisting of a ring resonator coupled to an optical waveguide with grating in- and outcouplers Using a nitrogen-vacancy color center embedded inside the ring resonator as a source of photons, single photon generation and routing at room temperature is observed Furthermore, we observe a large overall photon extraction efficiency (10%) and high quality factors of ring resonators (3200 for waveguide-coupled system and 12 600 for a bare ring)

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, femtosecond laser micromachining of micron-size curved structures using tailored accelerating beams is reported, with surface curvatures as small as 70μm in both diamond and silicon.
Abstract: We report femtosecond laser micromachining of micron-size curved structures using tailored accelerating beams. We report surface curvatures as small as 70 μm in both diamond and silicon, which demonstrates the wide applicability of the technique to materials that are optically transparent or opaque at the pump laser wavelength. We also report the machining of curved trenches in silicon. Our results are consistent with an ablation-threshold model based on calculated local beam intensity, and we also observe asymmetric debris deposition which is interpreted in terms of the optical properties of the incident accelerating beam.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the charge state of the nitrogen-vacancy centre in diamond can be controlled by an electrolytic gate electrode, opening the way to a dynamic control of transitions between charge states and to explore hitherto inaccessible states, such as NV+.
Abstract: The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centre in diamond is a promising candidate for a solid-state qubit. However, its charge state is known to be unstable, discharging from the qubit state NV− into the neutral state NV0 under various circumstances. Here we demonstrate that the charge state can be controlled by an electrolytic gate electrode. This way, single centres can be switched from an unknown non-fluorescent state into the neutral charge state NV0, and the population of an ensemble of centres can be shifted from NV0 to NV−. Numerical simulations confirm the manipulation of the charge state to be induced by the gate-controlled shift of the Fermi level at the diamond surface. This result opens the way to a dynamic control of transitions between charge states and to explore hitherto inaccessible states, such as NV+. Point defects in diamond in the form of nitrogen vacancy centres are believed to be promising candidates for qubits in quantum computers. Grotzet al. present a method for manipulating the charge state of nitrogen vacancies using an electrolytic gate electrode.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the spin and optical properties of individual nitrogen vacancy centers located within 1-10 nm from the diamond surface were investigated, and stable defects with a characteristic optically detected magnetic-resonance spectrum down to the lowest depth were observed.
Abstract: We investigate spin and optical properties of individual nitrogen vacancy centers located within 1--10 nm from the diamond surface. We observe stable defects with a characteristic optically detected magnetic-resonance spectrum down to the lowest depth. We also find a small but systematic spectral broadening for defects shallower than about 2 nm. This broadening is consistent with the presence of a surface paramagnetic impurity layer [Tisler et al., ACS Nano 3, 1959 (2009)] largely decoupled by motional averaging. The observation of stable and well-behaved defects very close to the surface is critical for single-spin sensors and devices requiring nanometer proximity to the target.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a side-collection technique was proposed to detect a large fraction of photons emitted by color centers within a planar diamond sample by detecting light that is guided to the edges of the diamond via total internal reflection.
Abstract: A common limitation of experiments using color centers in diamond is the poor photon collection efficiency of microscope objectives due to refraction at the diamond interface. We present a simple and effective technique to detect a large fraction of photons emitted by color centers within a planar diamond sample by detecting light that is guided to the edges of the diamond via total internal reflection. We describe a prototype device using this ``side-collection'' technique, which provides a photon collection efficiency $\ensuremath{\approx}47%$ and a photon detection efficiency $\ensuremath{\approx}39%$. We apply the enhanced signal-to-noise ratio gained from side collection to ac magnetometry using ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color centers, and demonstrate an ac magnetic field sensitivity $\ensuremath{\approx}100\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\mathrm{pT}/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$, limited by added noise in the prototype side-collection device. Technical optimization should allow significant further improvements in photon collection and detection efficiency as well as subpicotesla NV-diamond magnetic field sensitivity using the side-collection technique.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of water vapor on friction and wear was examined as a function of applied normal force for two such materials in thin film form: one that is fully amorphous in structure (tetrahedral ammorphous carbon, or ta-C) and one that was polycrystalline with $l 10$ nm grains [ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD)].
Abstract: Highly $s{p}^{3}$-bonded, nearly hydrogen-free carbon-based materials can exhibit extremely low friction and wear in the absence of any liquid lubricant, but this physical behavior is limited by the vapor environment. The effect of water vapor on friction and wear is examined as a function of applied normal force for two such materials in thin film form: one that is fully amorphous in structure (tetrahedral amorphous carbon, or ta-C) and one that is polycrystalline with $l10$ nm grains [ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD)]. Tribologically induced changes in the chemistry and carbon bond hybridization at the surface are correlated with the effect of the sliding environment and loading conditions through ex situ, spatially resolved near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. At sufficiently high relative humidity (RH) levels and/or sufficiently low loads, both films quickly achieve a low steady-state friction coefficient and subsequently exhibit low wear. For both films, the number of cycles necessary to reach the steady-state is progressively reduced for increasing RH levels. Worn regions formed at lower RH and higher loads have a higher concentration of chemisorbed oxygen than those formed at higher RH, with the oxygen singly bonded as hydroxyl groups (C-OH). While some carbon rehybridization from $s{p}^{3}$ to disordered $s{p}^{2}$ bonding is observed, no crystalline graphite formation is observed for either film. Rather, the primary solid-lubrication mechanism is the passivation of dangling bonds by OH and H from the dissociation of vapor-phase H${}_{2}$O. This vapor-phase lubrication mechanism is highly effective, producing friction coefficients as low as 0.078 for ta-C and 0.008 for UNCD, and wear rates requiring thousands of sliding passes to produce a few nanometers of wear.

Journal ArticleDOI
Ruiheng Liu1, Lili Xi1, Huili Liu1, Xun Shi1, Wenqing Zhang1, Lidong Chen1 
TL;DR: A ternary compound CuInTe(2) with diamond-like structure as a promising thermoelectric material in moderate temperature range due to the good electrical properties and low thermal conductivity is reported.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated quantum interference between indistinguishable photons emitted by two nitrogen-vacancy centers in distinct diamond samples separated by two meters, and an extension of the present approach to generate entanglement of remote solid-state qubits is discussed.
Abstract: We demonstrate quantum interference between indistinguishable photons emitted by two nitrogen-vacancy centers in distinct diamond samples separated by two meters. Macroscopic solid immersion lenses are used to enhance photon collection efficiency. Quantum interference is verified by measuring a value of the second-order cross-correlation function g((2))(0)=0.35±0.04<0.5. In addition, optical transition frequencies of two separated nitrogen-vacancy centers are tuned into resonance with each other by applying external electric fields. An extension of the present approach to generate entanglement of remote solid-state qubits is discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a revised curve based on a critical review of the experimental and thermodynamic data is consistent with expanded experimental brackets and the preferred calorimetric data, and the revised curve implies that the minimum pressure for formation of diamond-bearing crustal rocks is 3-4 kbar less than implied by extrapolation of the experiments.
Abstract: The transition from diamond to graphite is a key equilibrium for interpreting ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks. Despite widespread interest, there remain significant systematic differences between the best available experimental determinations of P and T (Kennedy and Kennedy 1976) and numerous thermodynamic calculations of the transition. At temperatures below 1400 K, calculated equilibrium pressures are lower than extrapolations of the experiments by as much as 5 kbar. At 3000 K, calculated pressures vary from more than 8 kbar above to almost 20 kbar below the position of the extrapolated transition. A revised curve based on a critical review of the experimental and thermodynamic data is consistent with expanded experimental brackets and the preferred calorimetric data. It is steeper than the transition proposed by Kennedy and Kennedy (1976) and previous calculations and passes through 16.2 kbar, 298 K; 33.9 kbar, 1000 K; 63.5 kbar, 2000 K; and 98.4 kbar, 3000 K. The revised curve implies that the minimum pressure for formation of diamond-bearing crustal rocks is 3–4 kbar less than implied by extrapolation of the experiments. Because the revised transition is steeper than most previous calculations, the triple point among graphite, diamond, and liquid carbon may be as much as 40 kbar higher than previously estimated.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors simulate a system of hard particles with attractive patches and show that they can self-assemble into a diamond structure from an initially disordered state, by "seeding" the system with small diamond crystallites or by introducing a rotation interaction to mimic a carbon-carbon antibonding interaction.
Abstract: Fabrication of diamond structures by self-assembly is a fundamental challenge in making three-dimensional photonic crystals. We simulate a system of model hard particles with attractive patches and show that they can self-assemble into a diamond structure from an initially disordered state. We quantify the extent to which the formation of the diamond structure can be facilitated by "seeding" the system with small diamond crystallites or by introducing a rotation interaction to mimic a carbon-carbon antibonding interaction. Our results suggest patchy particles may serve as colloidal "atoms" and "molecules" for the bottom-up self-assembly of three-dimensional crystals.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Covalent attachment of a catalytically active cobalt complex onto boron-doped, p-type conductive diamond is reported, exhibiting good stability and electrocatalytic activity for electrochemical reduction of CO(2) to CO in acetonitrile solution.
Abstract: We report here covalent attachment of a catalytically active cobalt complex onto boron-doped, p-type conductive diamond. Peripheral acetylene groups were appended on a cobalt porphyrin complex, and azide–alkyne cycloaddition was used for covalent linking to a diamond surface decorated with alkyl azides. The functionalized surface was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, and the catalytic activity was characterized using cyclic voltammetry and FTIR. The catalyst-modified diamond surfaces were used as “smart” electrodes exhibiting good stability and electrocatalytic activity for electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO in acetonitrile solution.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Graphene's current-induced breakdown is thermally activated and the current carrying capacity of graphene can be improved not only on the single-crystal diamond substrates but also on an inexpensive ultrananocrystalline diamond, which can be produced in a process compatible with a conventional Si technology.
Abstract: Graphene demonstrated potential for practical applications owing to its excellent electronic and thermal properties. Typical graphene field-effect transistors and interconnects built on conventional SiO2/Si substrates reveal the breakdown current density on the order of 1 uA/nm2 (i.e. 10^8 A/cm2) which is ~100\times larger than the fundamental limit for the metals but still smaller than the maximum achieved in carbon nanotubes. We show that by replacing SiO2 with synthetic diamond one can substantially increase the current-carrying capacity of graphene to as high as ~18 uA/nm2 even at ambient conditions. Our results indicate that graphene's current-induced breakdown is thermally activated. We also found that the current carrying capacity of graphene can be improved not only on the single-crystal diamond substrates but also on an inexpensive ultrananocrystalline diamond, which can be produced in a process compatible with a conventional Si technology. The latter was attributed to the decreased thermal resistance of the ultrananocrystalline diamond layer at elevated temperatures. The obtained results are important for graphene's applications in high-frequency transistors, interconnects, transparent electrodes and can lead to the new planar sp2-on-sp3 carbon-on-carbon technology.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors show that by replacing SiO(2) with synthetic diamond, one can substantially increase the current-carrying capacity of graphene to as high as 18 μA/nm(2), even at ambient conditions.
Abstract: Graphene demonstrated potential for practical applications owing to its excellent electronic and thermal properties. Typical graphene field-effect transistors and interconnects built on conventional SiO(2)/Si substrates reveal the breakdown current density on the order of 1 μA/nm(2) (i.e., 10(8) A/cm(2)), which is ~100× larger than the fundamental limit for the metals but still smaller than the maximum achieved in carbon nanotubes. We show that by replacing SiO(2) with synthetic diamond, one can substantially increase the current-carrying capacity of graphene to as high as ~18 μA/nm(2) even at ambient conditions. Our results indicate that graphene's current-induced breakdown is thermally activated. We also found that the current carrying capacity of graphene can be improved not only on the single-crystal diamond substrates but also on an inexpensive ultrananocrystalline diamond, which can be produced in a process compatible with a conventional Si technology. The latter was attributed to the decreased thermal resistance of the ultrananocrystalline diamond layer at elevated temperatures. The obtained results are important for graphene's applications in high-frequency transistors, interconnects, and transparent electrodes and can lead to the new planar sp(2)-on-sp(3) carbon-on-carbon technology.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed a model describing the three level population dynamics of single SiV centers in diamond nanocrystals on iridium surfaces including an intensity dependent de-shelving process.
Abstract: Single silicon vacancy (SiV) color centers in diamond have recently shown the ability for high brightness, narrow bandwidth, room temperature single photon emission. This work develops a model describing the three level population dynamics of single SiV centers in diamond nanocrystals on iridium surfaces including an intensity dependent de-shelving process. Furthermore, we investigate the brightness and photostability of single centers and find maximum single photon rates of 6.2 Mcps under continuous excitation. We investigate the collection efficiency of the fluorescence and estimate quantum efficiencies of the SiV centers.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of several principal elements and elements added in minor amounts to the metallic matrix is critically evaluated, with special attention directed toward the need for advanced fundamental studies on the functional link between work of adhesion and work of fracture.
Abstract: This article reviews studies undertaken on diamond cutting tools, with particular regard to the characteristics and performance of diamond/metal interfaces. The affinity of carbon to metals, as well as the wettability of diamond by molten metals, and the advantage of using coated diamonds under certain cutting conditions, are described. The choice of the appropriate metallic matrix in the field of both impregnated and brazed diamond tools is discussed in terms of the diamond/alloy interface, mechanical properties of the segment, diamond wear speed, and desired cutting performance. The effect of several principal elements and elements added in minor amounts to the metallic matrix is critically evaluated. Relevant open questions, related to the optimization of cutting tools performance, are outlined, with special attention directed toward the need for advanced fundamental studies on the functional link between work of adhesion and work of fracture.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: HFTCVD is reported as a new hybrid of hot filament and thermal CVD and demonstrated its feasibility by producing high quality large area strictly monolayer graphene films on Cu substrates and confirmed the mechanistic hypothesis by depositing graphene on Ni and SiO2/Si substrates.
Abstract: We report hot filament thermal CVD (HFTCVD) as a new hybrid of hot filament and thermal CVD and demonstrate its feasibility by producing high quality large area strictly monolayer graphene films on Cu substrates. Gradient in gas composition and flow rate that arises due to smart placement of the substrate inside the Ta filament wound alumina tube accompanied by radical formation on Ta due to precracking coupled with substrate mediated physicochemical processes like diffusion, polymerization etc., led to graphene growth. We further confirmed our mechanistic hypothesis by depositing graphene on Ni and SiO(2)/Si substrates. HFTCVD can be further extended to dope graphene with various heteroatoms (H, N, and B, etc.,), combine with functional materials (diamond, carbon nanotubes etc.,) and can be extended to all other materials (Si, SiO(2), SiC etc.,) and processes (initiator polymerization, TFT processing) possible by HFCVD and thermal CVD.