A negative electron affinity (NEA) was found both experimentally by photoemission spectroscopy and theoretically by ab initio calculations for the 2×1 reconstructed diamond (100) surface. This surface is the dominant growth surface for thin diamond films and can be obtained by chemical-vapor deposition. Various surface-preparation methods which result in a NEA are described. Theoretical results indicate that the observed NEA is associated with a monohydride-terminated surface, while the hydrogen-free surface exhibits a positive electron affinity.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.50.5803