Of all materials, diamond is harder than any known solid, while also exhibiting the highest values for elastic modulus, atomic density, Debye temperature and thermal conductivity at room temperature. Diamond is chemically inert, and is highly transparent throughout a broad range of the optical spectrum. It is a wide bandgap semiconductor that may be useful at high temperatures or high voltages.
These properties, along with the ease of growth of diamond fIlms by chemical vapor deposition. have made the material deSirable for potential applications such as heat spreaders, optical windows. x-ray lithography masks. low-friction and wear-resistant surfaces. cutting-tool coatings and active electronic devices.
