| abstract |
An apparatus, and method therefor, for removing a single atomic layer fromhe surface of a crystalline diamond. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises: a first delivery system for flooding the surface of the diamond with a pulse of nitrogen dioxide during a first phase of operation to cause a monolayer of nitrogen oxide to be adsorbed to the surface of the diamond; and a second delivery system for impacting the surface of the diamond with a pulse of ions of mixed noble and hydrogen gasses during a second phase of operation in order to remove a single atomic layer from the surface of the diamond. In a preferred method for removing a single atomic layer from the surface of a crystalline diamond, the method comprises the steps of: flooding the diamond surface with a pulse of nitrogen dioxide during the first phase of operation; and impacting the diamond surface with a pulse of ions of mixed noble and hydrogen gasses during a second phase of operation in order to remove a single atomic layer from the surface of the diamond. |