• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.101-108
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• 2022

The structure and properties of tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) coatings depend on the main process parameters and bending angles of the magnetic field filter used in the filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA). During the process, it is possible to effectively control the plasma flux of carbon ions incident on the substrate by controlling the arc discharge current, thereby influencing the mechanical properties of the coating film. Furthermore, we can control the size and amount of large particles mixed during carbon film formation while conforming with the bending angle of the mechanical filter mounted on the FCVA; therefore, it also influences the mechanical properties. In this study, we consider tribological characteristics for filtered bending angles of 45° and 90° as a function of arc discharge currents of 60 and 100 A, respectively. Experiment results indicate that the frictional behavior of the ta-C coating film is independent of the bending angle of the filter. However, its sliding wear behavior significantly changes according to the bending angle of the FCVA filter, unlike the effect of the discharge current. Further, upon changing the bending angle from 45° to 90°, abrasive wear gets accelerated, thereby changing the size and mixing amount of macro particles inside the coating film.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.53-61
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• 2021

The properties of tetrahedral amorphous Carbon (ta-C) film can be determined by multiple parameters and comprehensive effects of those parameters during a deposition process with filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA). In this study, Taguchi method was adopted to design the optimized FCVA deposition process of ta-C for improving deposition efficiency and mechanical properties of the deposited ta-C thin film. The influence and contribution of variables, such as arc current, substrate bias voltage, frequency, and duty cycle, on the properties of ta-C were investigated in terms of deposition efficiency and mechanical properties. It was revealed that the deposition rate was linearly increased following the increasing arc current (around 10 nm/min @ 60 A and 17 nm/min @ 100A). The hardness and I_D/I_G showed a correlation with substrate bias voltage (over 30 GPa @ 50 V and under 30 GPa @ 250 V). The scratch tests were conducted to specify the effect of each parameter on the resistance to plastic deformation of films. The analysis on variances showed that the arc current and substrate bias voltage were the most effective controlling parameters influencing properties of ta-C films. The optimized parameters were extracted for the target applications in various industrial fields.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.326-331
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• 2000

We have fabricated the field emitter arrays coated with diamond-like carbon (DLC) films that improved the field emission characteristics. The nitrogen doped DLC films are prepared by the filtered cathodic vacuum are (FCVA) tehnique. The activation energy of the nitrogen doped DLC films are derived from electrical conductivity measurements. The silicon field emission arrays (FEAs) were prepared by the VLSI technique. The turn-on field was rapidly decreasing and the emission current was remarkably increasing the DLC-coated FEAs than the non-coated silicon FEAs. In the nitrogen doped FEAs, the turn-on field decreased and the emission current increased with increasing the nitrogen found out the field emission current and the work function of the DLC-coated FEAs was remarkably decreased than that of the non-coated silicon FEAs. As nitrogen doping concentrations are increased the work function of FEAs is decreased and the field emission properties are improved in nitrogen doped DLC-coated FEAs. This phenomenon in due the fact that the Fermi energy level moves to the conduction band by increasing nitrogen doping concentration.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1997.11a
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• pp.273-275
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• 1997

We fabricated the conventional silicon tips coated with a diamond-like carbon (DLC) film. The DLC films are prepared by the filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) technique. With increasing nitrogen content in DLC film, the work function($\phi$) and the turn-on voltage decrease and the emission current increases. This phenomenon is due to the fact that the Fermi-level moves to the conduction band by increasing nitrogen doping concentration. We have tested on the stability of the DLC film coated silicon tip during 2 hours at 500V.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers C
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.109-115
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• 2003

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films are deposited at room temperature using a filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) technique. The influence of negative bias voltage (applied to the substrate from 0 to -250V) on the $sp^3$ hybridized carbon fraction is examined by Raman spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for C 1s core peak. For the first time, depth profile of C 1s, Si 2p, and O 1s XPS peaks for the deposited DLC film are obtained. DLC film is modeled as a multilayered structure. composing of surface, bulk, and interface. In addition, the x-ray reflectivity (XRR) is proposed as a method for estimating the density, surface roughness, and thickness of each layer constituting the DLC film. The estimated thickness of DLC film is in good agreement with the result obtained from the transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurement.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1997.07d
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• pp.1379-1382
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• 1997

Diamond-like carbon(DLC) thin films are produced by using a filtered cathodic vacuum arc(FCVA) deposition system. Different magnetic components, namely steering, focusing, and filtering plasma-optic systems, are used to achieve a stable arc plasma and to prevent the macroparticles from incorporating into the deposited films. Effects of magnetic fields on plasma behavior and film deposition are examined. The carbon ion energy is found to be varied by applying a negative (accelerating) substrate bias voltage. The deposition rate of DLC films is dependent upon magnetic field as well as substrate bias voltage and at a nominal deposition condition is about $2{\AA}/s$. The structural properties of DLC films, such as internal stress, relative fraction of tetrahedral($sp^3$) bonds, and surface roughness have also been characterized as a function of substrate bias voltages and partial gas($N_2$) pressures.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers C
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.325-329
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• 2003

Effects of thermal treatment on the structural properties of diamond-like carbon (DU) films were examined. The DLC films were deposited by using a modified filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) deposition system and by varying the negative substrate bias voltage, deposition time, and nitrogen flow rate. Thermal treatment on DLC films was performed using a rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process at $600^{\circ}C$ for 2min. Raman spectroscopy, x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscope (AFM), and surface profiler were used to characterize the I$_{D}$I$_{G}$ intensity ratio, sp$^3$ hybrid carbon fraction, internal stress, and surface roughness. It was found for all the deposited DLC films that the RTA-treatment results in the release of internal compressive stress, while at the same time it leds to the decrease of sp$^3$ fraction and the increase of I$_{D}$I$_{G}$ intensity ratio. It was also suggested that the thermal treatment effect on the structural property of DLC films strongly depends on the diamond-like nature (i.e., sp$^3$ fraction) of as-deposited film.ed film.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1997.11a
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• pp.683-687
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• 1997

The purpose of this work is to develop a highly reliable solar cell based on the diamond-like carbon(DLC)/silicon heterojunction. Thin films of DLC have been deposited by employing both filtered cathodic vacuum arc(FCVA) and magnetron plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition(m-PECVD) systems. Structural, electrical, and optical properties of DLC films deposited are systematically analyzed as a function of deposition conditions, such as magnetic field, substrate bias voltage, gas pressure, and nitrogen content. The I-V measurement has been used to elucidate the mechanism responsible for the conduction process in the DLC/Si junction. Photoresponse characteristics of the junction are measured and its reliability against temperature and light stresses is also analyzed.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 1997.07d
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• pp.1383-1386
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• 1997

Dimond-like carbon(DLC) films have been deposited by using both rf plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) deposition systems. Effects of deposition conditions, such as dc self-bias, $CH_4$ gas pressure, substrate bias, and $N_2$ partial pressure, on the structural and electrical properties of DLC films are examined. The experimental results obtained have also been discussed by considering a theoretical model for film growth.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.241-246
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• 2018

This research addresses the improvement of tribo-systems, specifically regarding the reduction of friction and wear through tribo-coupling between tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) with different types of counterpart materials, namely bearing steel (SUJ2), tungsten carbide (WC), stainless steel (SUS304), and alumina ($Al_2O_3$). A second variable in this project is the utilization of different values of duct bias voltage in the deposition of the ta-C coating - 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 V. The results of this research are expected to determine the optimum duct bias and best counter materials associated with ta-C to produce the lowest friction and wear. Results obtained reveal that the tribo-couple between the ta-C coating and SUJ2 balls produces the lowest friction coefficient and wear rate. In terms of duct bias changes, deposition using 5 V produces the most optimum tribological behavior with lowest friction and wear on the tribo-system. In contrast, the tribo-couple between ta-C with a WC ball causes penetration through the coating surface layer and hence high surface delamination. This study demonstrates that the most effective ta-C coating duct bias is 5 V associated with SUJ2 counter material to produce the lowest friction and wear.