  Vertical diamond Schottky diodes with blocking voltages $V_{\text{BD}} > 2.4
\text{ kV}$ and on-resistances $R_{\text{On}} < 400 \text{ m}\Omega
\text{cm}^{2}$ were fabricated on homoepitaxially grown diamond layers with
different surface morphologies. The morphology (smooth as-grown, hillock-rich,
polished) influences the Schottky barrier, the carrier transport properties,
and consequently the device performance. The smooth as-grown sample exhibited a
low reverse current density $J_{\text{Rev}} < 10^{-4} \text{ A}/\text{cm}^{2}$
for reverse voltages up to $2.2 \text{ kV}$. The hillock-rich sample blocked
similar voltages with a slight increase in the reverse current density
($J_{\text{Rev}} < 10^{-3} \text{ A}/\text{cm}^{2}$). The calculated
1D-breakdown field, however, was reduced by $30 \text{ } \%$, indicating a
field enhancement induced by the inhomogeneous surface. The polished sample
demonstrated a similar breakdown voltage and reverse current density as the
smooth as-grown sample, suggesting that a polished surface can be suitable for
device fabrication. However, a statistical analysis of several diodes of each
sample showed the importance of the substrate quality: A high density of
defects both reduces the feasible device area and increases the reverse current
density. In forward direction, the hillock-rich sample exhibited a secondary
Schottky barrier, which could be fitted with a modified thermionic emission
model employing the Lambert W-function. Both polished and smooth sample showed
nearly ideal thermionic emission with ideality factors $1.08$ and $1.03$,
respectively. Compared with literature, all three diodes exhibit an improved
Baliga Figure of Merit for diamond Schottky diodes with $V_{\text{BD}} > 2
\text{ kV}$.
