Atomic-scale desorption of hydrogen from hydrogenated diamond surfaces using the STM

Diamond has a number of unique chemical and physical properties. In particular, when covered with hydrogen, diamond surfaces acquire a negative electron affinity (NEA). This NEA property has already been used to fabricate high-efficiency diamond-based light detectors and/or electron emitters. We have used the scanning tunnelling microscope for (i) atomic-scale visualisation of the hydrogenated diamond surface, (ii) probing the surface electronic structure and (iii) atomic-scale desorption of hydrogen atoms. Desorption of individual hydrogen atoms has been used to pattern pre-selected areas on the hydrogenated diamond surface. This is considered to be a promising way to fabricate atomic-scale photon detectors and/or electron emitters. The feasibility of the tip-induced atomic-scale desorption of hydrogen from the diamond surface is discussed in comparison with the similar studies on hydrogenated silicon and germanium surfaces performed previously. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.