The Pulse Shape Effect in Field-induced Nanomodifications of Diamond-like Carbon Films

The same actions resulted in formation of nanocavities in highly-oriented pyrographite (HOPG), suggesting the anodization to be responsible for removing the uppermost surface layers from the substrate [1]. A more complex behavior was observed for amorphous carbon materials. Both graphite-like [2] and well-conducting diamond-like carbon (DLC) films [3] showed either nanoprotrusions or nanocavities inside exposed areas, depending on the voltage magnitude. Evidences were given that, above a threshold, the SPM actions led to the anodization. To explain patterning the nanoprotrusions, phase transitions in carbon due to local heating of the material were proposed [3]. However, the variety in reactions of carbon materials under the electrical field actions is still far from understanding, From this point of view, it seems important to compare the character of nanomodifications in the wellconducting and poorly conducting DLC films.