Synthesis of diamond on WC-Co substrates using a KrF excimer laser in combination with a combustion flame

摘要

A KrF excimer laser was used in combination with a combustion flame to deposit diamond films on cemented tungsten carbide (WC-Co) substrates. The laser has a wavelength of 248 nm, a pulse width of 23 ns, a pulse energy range of 84~450 mJ, and a repetition rate up to 50 Hz. Using the combustion flame method, diamond films were deposited on the laser-processed WC-Co substrates for 10 min. The morphologies of the deposited diamond films were examined using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composition and bonding structures in the deposited films were studied by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. The film adhesion was characterized by scratching a razor across the films. It was found that C composition on WC-Co substrate surfaces was eliminated by the laser irradiation. As a consequence, diamond nucleation density decreased and diamond grains grew larger in the laser-processed areas. Based on the experimental results, a film growth mechanism at different deposition temperature ranges corresponding to pre-deposition laser-surface-treatment effects was proposed.