Low energy electron diffraction study of the (111) diamond surface

Leed research on the clean (111) diamond surface structure has been extended. A “benzene-ring” type of model fits the diffraction data best. Reaction with hydrogen at high temperatures and low pressures produces a simple phase without superstructure. Reaction with aluminum produces a phase with “12 role=presentation style=font-size: 90%; display: inline-block; position: relative;>$\text{1}\text{2}$$\text{1}\text{2}$-orders” which probably corresponds to a 12 role=presentation style=font-size: 90%; display: inline-block; position: relative;>$\text{1}\text{2}$$\text{1}\text{2}$-mono-layer coverage. Reaction with phosphorus produces a phase with (13n13n)-orders (√3 structure) role=presentation style=font-size: 90%; display: inline-block; position: relative;>$\text{(}\text{1}\text{3}\text{n}\text{1}\text{3}\text{n}\text{)-orders (√3 structure)}$$\text{(}\text{1}\text{3}\text{n}\text{1}\text{3}\text{n}\text{)-orders (√3 structure)}$ probably at a 13 role=presentation style=font-size: 90%; display: inline-block; position: relative;>$\text{1}\text{3}$$\text{1}\text{3}$-monolayer coverage. Surface mobility of carbon atoms (or vacancies) is detectable at 900 °C. Epitaxial growth of diamond on diamond appears possible in the range between 900 °C and 1400 °C if graphite nucleation is impeded.