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Correction - Radtke et al. Plasma Treatments and Light Extraction from Fluorinated CVD-Grown (400) Single Crystal Diamond Nanopillars. C 2020, 6, 37

MetadataDetails
Publication Date2022-10-12
JournalC – Journal of Carbon Research
AuthorsMariusz Radtke, Abdallah Slablab, Sandra Van Vlierberghe, Chaonan Lin, Ying‐Jie Lu
InstitutionsZhengzhou University, Ghent University
AnalysisFull AI Review Included

Technical Documentation & Analysis: Plasma Treatment of CVD Diamond Nanopillars

Section titled “Technical Documentation & Analysis: Plasma Treatment of CVD Diamond Nanopillars”

This technical analysis focuses on the correction regarding the plasma fluorination of CVD-grown Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) nanopillars, a critical step for optimizing light extraction in quantum photonics applications.

  • Core Achievement: Successful validation of surface fluorination on CVD-grown SCD nanopillars using 0 V bias SF6 plasma, confirmed by corrected X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) data.
  • Material Requirement: The research necessitates high-quality, low-stress SCD substrates, specifically CVD-grown (400) orientation, to support nanostructure fabrication and maintain lattice integrity.
  • Application Focus: Enhancing light extraction efficiency, primarily relevant for quantum sensing and photonics utilizing negatively charged nitrogen vacancies (NV-).
  • Structural Integrity: Raman spectroscopy confirmed the structural quality (1332.25 cm-1 peak) and proved the lack of detrimental underetching during the plasma treatment process.
  • Process Control: The use of a 0 V bias during SF6 plasma treatment demonstrates precise control over surface termination, minimizing damage while achieving the desired F-termination.
  • 6CCVD Value Proposition: 6CCVD specializes in providing the high-purity, low-stress Optical Grade SCD required for replicating and scaling this advanced quantum device fabrication.

The following hard data points were extracted from the analysis of the plasma treatment and characterization results:

ParameterValueUnitContext
Material TypeSingle Crystal Diamond (SCD)N/ACVD-Grown Nanopillars
Crystal Orientation(400)N/ASubstrate orientation used for growth
PL Excitation Wavelength532nmPhotoluminescence (PL) scan
PL Excitation Power654”WLaser power for PL mapping
Raman Excitation Wavelength532.05nmLaser used for structural analysis
Raman Excitation Power2.47mWLaser power for Raman spectroscopy
Diamond Raman Peak1332.25cm-1High-quality diamond lattice peak
Plasma GasSF6N/AFluorination agent
Plasma Bias0VTreatment condition for controlled termination
Observed Surface Species (XPS)F1s, C1s, O1sN/APost-treatment surface chemistry
Observed Plasma Species (OES)SF4+, F, SF5N/AOptical Emission Spectrum (OES) transitions

The experiment focused on controlled surface modification of nanostructured diamond using plasma processing:

  1. Substrate Selection: Utilization of CVD-grown Single Crystal Diamond (SCD) substrates, specified as (400) orientation, suitable for subsequent nanostructuring.
  2. Nanostructure Fabrication: Nanopillars were etched into the SCD material to enhance light extraction efficiency.
  3. Localized Plasma Exposure: A single crystal quartz plate was used to partially cover the pillars, shielding them from the plasma and allowing for quantification of localized fluorine termination effects.
  4. Plasma Treatment Recipe: Surface fluorination was achieved using Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) gas plasma.
  5. Bias Control: The plasma process was strictly maintained at a 0 V bias to ensure controlled, non-damaging surface termination (F-termination) necessary for preserving NV- centers.
  6. Structural Verification: Raman spectroscopy was employed to confirm the high quality of the diamond lattice (1332.25 cm-1) and verify the absence of underetching or structural damage caused by the plasma.
  7. Surface Chemistry Analysis: X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) was used to confirm and quantify the presence of fluorine (F1s peak) on the diamond surface post-treatment.

This research highlights the critical need for high-purity, structurally uniform SCD material for advanced quantum device fabrication. 6CCVD is uniquely positioned to supply the necessary substrates and customization services to replicate and scale this work.

To replicate or extend this research into scalable quantum devices, researchers require the highest quality diamond material:

  • Optical Grade Single Crystal Diamond (SCD): Essential for NV center research and quantum photonics. Our Optical Grade SCD features extremely low nitrogen concentration (< 1 ppb typical) and minimal intrinsic stress, ensuring high coherence times and reliable NV- creation.
  • Custom SCD Thickness: We provide SCD plates ranging from 0.1”m to 500”m, allowing researchers to select the optimal thickness for specific etching depths and nanopillar aspect ratios.

The success of this plasma treatment relies on the quality and preparation of the initial substrate. 6CCVD offers comprehensive services to meet these stringent requirements:

Research Requirement6CCVD Solution & CapabilityTechnical Advantage
High-Quality (400) or (100) SCD SubstratesCustom Dimensions up to 125mmProvides large-area substrates for scaling up nanostructure arrays and high-throughput processing.
Pristine Surface FinishUltra-Precision Polishing (Ra < 1nm)Ensures atomically smooth surfaces, minimizing light scattering losses and providing a uniform base for plasma treatment and nanostructure lithography.
Need for Electrical IntegrationIn-House Metalization ServicesWe offer custom deposition of Ti/Pt/Au, W, Cu, or Pd contacts, crucial for integrating nanopillar arrays into electrical circuits or gate structures.
Structural VerificationLow-Stress, Uniform CVD GrowthOur MPCVD process yields highly uniform material, minimizing the growth-induced stress that can complicate Raman analysis and affect NV center properties.

6CCVD’s in-house PhD team specializes in the material science of diamond for quantum and optical applications. We can assist researchers with:

  • Material Selection: Consulting on the optimal SCD orientation ((100) or (111) are often preferred for NV centers) and nitrogen doping levels required for efficient NV- creation.
  • Surface Preparation: Advising on pre-treatment cleaning and polishing protocols to ensure the best starting surface for plasma fluorination or other termination processes.
  • Custom Specifications: Engineering support for defining precise thickness, doping (if Boron-Doped Diamond, BDD, is required for electrical conductivity), and metalization schemes for similar Light Extraction and Quantum Sensing projects.

For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.

View Original Abstract

The authors would like to update the XPS spectrum in Figure 3c [
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