Diamond, as well as being a precious gem, is a versatile material par excellence. No other material comes anywhere near to matching its properties, which are both extreme, and also expressed in rare combinations. However, natural diamonds, and those synthesised under high sandpressure temperatures, are too expensive or small for many technological applications. These limitations can be overcome by using large-area diamond coatings; chemically bonded to inexpensive non-diamond surfaces. The consequent economic advantages provide the driving force for much diamond-related research and technology.

Dua, former head of the materials science section at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center in India, examines the past, present, and future of diamond thin films. He details their methods of preparation and characterization, and the mechanisms of nucleation, growth, and epitaxy of CVD diamond. Reactor-scale modeling, in situ diagnostics, and the processing of diamond films are some other topics covered. Concluding chapters look ahead to expected applications, recent developments, and new ideas in the field. There is no subject index. Annotation : 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

This book presents the status quo of the structure, preparation, properties and applications of tetrahedrally bonded amorphous carbon (ta-C) films and compares them with related film systems. Tetrahedrally bonded amorphous carbon films (ta-C) combine some of the outstanding properties of diamond with the versatility of amorphous materials. The book compares experimental results with the predictions of theoretical analyses, condensing them to practicable rules. It is strictly application oriented, emphasizing the exceptional potential of ta-C for tribological coatings of tools and components.

The most comprehensive source available on the preparation, characterization, and emerging applications of thin film. This book features extensive new advances applied in multichip modules (MCMs), and covers the basic principles and applications of thin film deposition techniques for practical use. It provides and develops design guidelines to realize multilayer structures in microcircuits, thus addressing a critical and rapidly growing area.

Diamond films grown by activated chemical vapor deposition have superlative thermal, mechanical, optical, and electronic properties combined with a very high degree of chemical inertness to most environments. These properties, together with the ability to fabricate films and shapes of considerable size, promise an exciting new material with many applications. Some applications are on the verge of commercialization but many await a few more technological developments. Diamond-like films are already employed in both commercial and military applications. The popular press, as well as the scientific and technological and industrial communities, are increasingly interested in the potential for future development of these materials. Although there are many technical papers and review articles published, there is no Single comprehensive introduction to these technologies. The Scientific Affairs Division of NATO recognized the need and the future importance of these technologies and authorized an Advanced Study Institute on diamond and diamond-like films. NATO Advanced Study Institutes are high level teaching activities at which a carefully defined subject is presented in a systematic and coherently structured program. The subject is treated in considerable depth by lecturers eminent in their fields and of international standing. The presentations are made to students who are scientists in the field or who possess an advanced general scientific background.

The Diamond Films Handbook is an important source of information for readers involved in the new diamond film technology, emphasizing synthesis technologies and diamond film applications. Containing over 1600 references, drawings, photographs, micrographs, equations, and tables, and contributions by experts from both industry and academia, it includes specific chapters that address film characterization methods and the physics and chemistry of film synthesis. Other topics include deposition chemistry, various techniques for diamond synthesis, diamond heat spreaders, thermal management diamond active electronic devices, and diamond film optics.

Part II reviews the state of the art of thin film diamond a very promising new semiconductor that may one day rival silicon as the material of choice for electronics. Diamond has the following important characteristics; it is resistant to radiation damage, chemically inert and biocompatible and it will become "the material" for bio-electronics, in-vivo applications, radiation detectors and high-frequency devices. Thin-Film Diamond II is the first book to summarize state of the art of CVD diamond in depth. It covers the most recent results regarding growth and structural properties, doping and defect characterization, hydrogen in and on diamond as well as surface properties in general, applications of diamond in electrochemistry, as detectors, and in surface acoustic wave devices * Accessible by both experts and non-experts in the field of semi-conductors research and technology, each chapter is written in a tutorial format· * Assisting engineers to manufacture devices with optimized electronic properties· * Truly international, this volume contains chapters written by recognized experts representing academic and industrial institutions from Europe, Japan and the US