Analysis of nanocrystalline diamond powder by scanning transmission electron microscopy

Abstract

Theoretical studies [R. P. Fehlhaber and L. A. Bursill, Phys. Rev. B 60, 14147 (1999)] of small nanocrystalline diamond spheres, using the classical electrodynamic formalism with a well defined impact parameter and including all multipole modes, are used to analyze and discuss electron energy loss spectra recorded with a high resolution scanning transmission electron microscope. The theory is used to predict spectra for spheres of different radii with and without surface coatings. Due to the relatively large damping factor for diamond the surface, interface and bulk plasmon peaks overlap; but it is shown that the theory is nevertheless capable to allow particle diameter and coating thickness..