Formation of CH Radical by Surface Bombardment in a Methane/Argon DC Discharge

Abstract
Space-resolved optical emission spectroscopy was applied to investigate the deposition process of amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H) in a dc glow discharge. The CH(A2 Δ→ X2Π) emission was strongly enhanced and localized near the cathode surface in a CH4/Ar discharge. The time evolution of the CH emission along with the deposition or etching of a-C:H films revealed the CH radical formation by two surface processes: (i) fragmentation of energetic hydrocarbon particles at their impact on the cathode, and (ii) sputtering of the already deposited a-C:H film.

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