Fig. 10

Overview of the influence of direct plasma contact. a The triangular shaped sample enables diffusive transport of species into the cavity whereas the upper side of the surface experiences a direct plasma contact. b Overview photo of the upper side of the sample: Massive nanodiamond nucleation has taken place as a result from the substrate–plasma-interaction. The length of the scale bar is 10 µm. c Overview photo of the substrate surface in the cavity. No nanodiamond nucleation is observed. Length of scale bar: 20 µm. d Raman spectrum of nanodiamond spheres on the front side. Characteristic diamond peaks are visible. e Raman spectrum of graphene between nanodiamond spheres: damaged graphene has been synthesized. f Raman spectrum of graphene in the cavity on the back side of the sample. Damaged graphene of a similar quality to the front side is observed. The lack of plasma interaction leads to a slightly improved result compared to the front side