Vladimir P. Ageev

Enhanced field emission characteristics from nanocrystalline diamond films through UV laser post-growth modification

A significant reduction of electron field emission thresholds resulting from ArF laser irradiation of nanocrystalline diamond films in borazine and ammonia atmospheres is reported for the first time. The change of emission characteristics is not connected with either laser surface graphitization or formation of bulk defects. XPS surface analysis and Raman spectroscopy data form these samples shows that laser irradiation results in the synthesis of ultra thin layers of boron-carbon-nitrogen and in B and N atoms intergrain penetration into the film to a depth above 100 angstrom. The synthesis of the B-C-N ternary and existence of sp2 bonded C-N compounds is demonstrated.

Possible use of alkali metals to obtain population inversion in atomic iodine

The possibility of population inversion of the 52P1/2 and 52P3/2 levels in atomic iodine as a result of a fast recombination reaction between the atomic iodine and radicals R (such as CF3 and C3F7) is discussed. The proposed method is based on the experimentally observed difference between the reactivity of the iodine atoms in the ground 52P3/2 and excited 52P1/2 states in various recombination reactions. In this type of laser, an important part is played by the alkali metal which is the chemical source of free radicals and iodine atoms. Numerical calculations are made using a kinetic model of the proposed laser. The main design parameters of a feasible iodine recombination laser are estimated.