Hydrogen intercalation of epitaxial graphene and buffer layer probed by mid-infrared absorption and Raman spectroscopy

We have measured optical absorption in mid-infrared spectral range on hydrogen intercalated single layer epitaxial graphene and buffer layer grown on silicon face of SiC. We have used attenuated total reflection geometry to enhance absorption related to the surface and SiC/graphene interface. The Raman spectroscopy is used to show presence of buffer layer and single layer graphene prior to intercalation. We also present Raman spectra of quasi free standing monolayer and bilayer graphene after hydrogen intercalation at temperatures between 790 and 1510°C. We have found that although the Si-H bonds form at as low temperatures as 790°C, the well developed bond order has been reached only for samples intercalated at temperatures exceeding 1000°C. We also study temporal stability of hydrogen intercalated samples stored in ambient air. The optical spectroscopy shows on a formation of silyl and silylene groups on the SiC/graphene interface due to the residual atomic hydrogen left from the intercalation process.