Preparation of self-supporting diamond-like carbon nanofoils with thickness less than 5 nm for laser-driven ion acceleration

Ultrathin (<5 nm) self-supporting diamond-like carbon (DLC) foils are prepared by filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) deposition method as targets for laser-driven ion acceleration. The thickness and the morphology of these foils are characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM).