Electron Microscopy Study of Cubic Boron Nitride Thin Films Grown by Ion -Assisted Pulsed Laser Deposition

ABSTRACTWe present a microstructural study of boron nitride films grown by ion-assisted pulsed laser deposition. Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and electron diffraction measurements indicate that within the irradiated region of the substrate, the film consists of high fraction of cBN with a small amount of the turbostratic phase; outside of the irradiated region, only the turbostratic phase is detected. Conventional and high resolution electron microscopic observations of the boron nitride microstructure indicate that the cBN is in the form of twinned crystallites, up to 30 nm in diameter. We also observe particulates, formed by the laser pulse, that reduce the yield of cBN in the irradiated regions by shadowing local areas from the ion beam.