Multilayer diamond-like carbon film with germanium buffer layers, which was composed of several thick DLC layers and thin germanium island “layers” and named as Ge-DLC film, was prepared on the germanium substrate by ultraviolet laser. The Ge-DLC film had almost same surface roughness as the pure DLC film. Hardness of the Ge-DLC film was above 48.1[Formula: see text]GPa, which was almost the same as that of pure DLC film. Meanwhile, compared to the pure DLC film, the critical load of Ge-DLC film on the germanium substrate increased from 81.6[Formula: see text]mN to 143.8[Formula: see text]mN. Moreover, Ge-DLC film on germanium substrates had no change after fastness tests. The results showed that Ge-DLC film not only kept high hardness but also had higher critical load than that of pure DLC film. Therefore, it could be used as practical protective films.
Weak localization behavior observed in graphene grown on germanium substrate
