The electron-stimulated desorption of negatively charged hydrogen ions from diamond surfaces is studied with respect to an application as a bright ion source. Bombarding an (100)-oriented, boron-doped single crystal diamond with 40-μA electrons at energies up to 12 keV, a maximum ion current of 700 pA negative hydrogen is obtained. A supply of 1.0×10−4 mbar atomic deuterium results in a steady-state ion current of 30 pA. The ionization cross section has been proven to vary one order of magnitude between 3.5×10−18 cm2 and 5×10−19 cm2 with hydrogen coverage of the surface. This effect might be caused by the changing electron affinity of the diamond.    «

The electron-stimulated desorption of negatively charged hydrogen ions from diamond surfaces is studied with respect to an application as a bright ion source. Bombarding an (100)-oriented, boron-doped single crystal diamond with 40-μA electrons at energies up to 12 keV, a maximum ion current of 700 pA negative hydrogen is obtained. A supply of 1.0×10−4 mbar atomic deuterium results in a steady-state ion current of 30 pA. The ionization cross section has been proven to vary one order of magnitude...    »