TEM investigation of nano-structured carbon films

TEM investigations reveal the large structural differences of carbon films prepared by modified deposition conditions. Laser induced vacuum deposition (Laser-Arc) enables the deposition of superhard, amorphous films with dominating diamond bonds. By suitable addition of noble gas during the plasma deposition nano-structured carbon films are produced. They consist of densely packed stacks of curved graphene lamellae resembling nano-onions or nano-tubes. TEM-investigation of top view and cross sectional images shows quite different structures. These results led to the concept of nano-tube-like inclusions. This structural model is supported by simulations based on the multi-slice method.