Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
A new hard sp2-sp3 carbon stabilized by non-stoichiometric silica SiOx has been fabricated which combines a graphite-like layered structure with diamond-like mechanical properties, thermal stability and a very low density (≈ 1.6 g/cm3). This substance, which we refer to a quasi-amorphous material (QUASAM), has considerable potential applications as either thin films or bulk material since it can be grown as thick as 300 μm. Not only is the fine surface structure of crucial importance for thin films, but also the steadiness of a smooth growth front is a key factor for bulk material synthesis. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM) we have undertaken study of the surfaces/interfaces of such material over a wide range of thicknesses (5 nm < tf < 300 μm), including two free standing films.