Abstract: An electrode for electrochemical uses is made of a conductive metal mesh coated with boron-doped diamond. The electrode may be used in electrochemical reactions either as a cathode or as an anode, or can be used with an alternating current.

Abstract: The SAW device comprises a diamond or quartz substrate as a wave propagation layer, a piezoelectric layer on the wave propagation layer and at least one interdigitated electrode on the piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A method of forming devices having textured and highly oriented diamond layers includes the steps of forming a plurality of diamond nucleation sites on a substrate and then growing diamond on the sites so merge and form a continuous diamond layer having {100} and {111} facets. The growing step is performed by repeatedly cycling between first growth parameters, which favor growth of the nucleation sites in a direction normal to the {100} facets relative to growth in a direction normal to the {111} facets, and second growth parameters, which favor growth of the {100} facets relative to growth of the {111} facets, in sequence. This is continued until a diamond layer of desired thickness is obtained having large and substantially coplanar {100} facets. The first growth parameters are selected so that the rate of growth of diamond in a direction normal to the exposed {100} facets of the layer is preferably between about one and one quarter (1.25) times and one and three quarter (1.

Abstract: A diamond-based structure includes a substrate, an adhesive material on a face of the substrate, and an array of spaced apart diamond mesas bonded to the substrate by the adhesive material. In particular, each of the diamond mesas can have a growth surface adjacent the substrate and an interfacial surface opposite the substrate, and the interfacial surface can be smooth relative to the growth surface. This structure can be fabricated by providing a sacrificial substrate, forming a plurality of diamond mesas on a face of the sacrificial substrate, bonding the diamond mesas to a transfer substrate, and removing the sacrificial substrate. Accordingly, the interfacial surfaces of the diamond, which are formed adjacent the sacrificial substrate and then exposed by removing the substrate are smooth.

Abstract: A diamond-based structure includes a substrate, an adhesive material on a face of the substrate, and an array of spaced apart diamond mesas bonded to the substrate by the adhesive material. In particular, each of the diamond mesas can have a growth surface adjacent the substrate and an interfacial surface opposite the substrate, and the interfacial surface can be smooth relative to the growth surface. This structure can be fabricated by providing a sacrificial substrate, forming a plurality of diamond mesas on a face of the sacrificial substrate, bonding the diamond mesas to a transfer substrate, and removing the sacrificial substrate. Accordingly, the interfacial surfaces of the diamond, which are formed adjacent the sacrificial substrate and then exposed by removing the substrate are smooth.

Abstract: A plasma system is disclosed comprising a vessel suitable for containing a plasma at a pressure of at least about 100 mtorr, a plasma gas in the vessel at a pressure of at least 100 mtorr, an antenna with a substantially planar face positioned adjacent a portion of the vessel for applying an electromagnetic field to the plasma gas to thereby generate and maintain a plasma, and means for applying an external magnetic field to the plasma gas other than the field generated by the antenna, and having a component in a direction substantially perpendicular to the planar face of the antenna.

Abstract: A method for making a field emitter comprising the steps of providing a projection; electrically biasing the projection; and exposing the electrically biased projection to a hydrocarbon containing plasma to form a layer of diamond nuclei on the projection. The diamond nuclei are relatively inert and have a high nucleation density. The projection is preferably a material capable of forming a carbide, such as (111) oriented silicon. Refractory metals may also be used for the projection. The electrical biasing is preferably at a voltage in a range of about -150 to -250 volts. The hydrocarbon containing plasma preferably comprises a plasma including about 2 to 5% by weight of methane in hydrogen. An intervening carbide layer is preferably formed at a surface of the projection and underlying the layer of diamond nuclei. The field emitter produced by the method and having a relatively high diamond nucleation density is also disclosed.

Abstract: A microelectronic structure including a plurality of spaced apart diamond structures on which a plurality of semiconductor devices may be formed. The semiconductor devices include a semiconducting diamond layer on each of the diamond structures. The diamond structures are preferably oriented relative to a single crystal nondiamond substrate so that the diamond structures have a (100)-oriented outer face for forming the semiconductor devices thereon. The microelectronic structure may be diced into discrete devices, or the devices interconnected, such as to form a higher powered device. One embodiment of the microelectronic structure includes the plurality of diamond structures, wherein each diamond structure is formed of a highly oriented textured diamond layer approaching single crystal quality, yet capable of fabrication on a single crystal nondiamond substrate.

Abstract: The highly-oriented diamond film is a diamond film formed by chemical vapor deposition, with at least 95% of its area consisting of either (100) or (111) crystal planes, and the differences {.DELTA..alpha., .DELTA..beta., .DELTA..gamma.} of the Euler angles {.alpha., .beta., .gamma.} between the adjacent crystals satisfying (.vertline..DELTA..alpha..vertline..ltoreq.1.degree., .vertline..DELTA..beta..vertline..ltoreq.1.degree. and .vertline..DELTA..gamma..vertline..ltoreq.1.degree.) simultaneously. Thus obtained highly-oriented diamond film has few grain boundaries and high carrier mobility. And the area of the diamond film can be large.

Abstract: The highly-oriented diamond film thermistor has a temperature sensing part formed of a highly-oriented diamond film grown by chemical vapor deposition. This highly-oriented diamond film satisfies the conditions that at least 65% of the film surface area is covered by (100) or (111) planes of diamond and the differences {.DELTA..alpha., .DELTA..beta., .DELTA..gamma.} of Euler angles {.alpha., .beta., .gamma.}, which represent the orientations of the crystal planes, simultaneously satisfy conditions, .vertline..DELTA..alpha..vertline..ltoreq.5.degree., .vertline..DELTA..beta..vertline..ltoreq.5.degree., .vertline..DELTA..gamma..vertline..ltoreq.5.degree., between adjacent crystal planes.

Abstract: A source electrode is formed on the first semiconducting diamond film and a drain electrode is formed on the second semiconducting diamond film. A highly resistant diamond film having a thickness of between 10 .ANG. and 1 mm and an electrical resistance of at least 10.sup.2 .OMEGA..cm or more is placed between the first and second semiconducting diamond films. A gate electrode is formed on the highly resistant diamond film. Thereby, a channel region is formed by these first and second semiconducting diamond films as well as the highly resistant diamond film. All or at least a part of said first and second semiconducting diamond films and the highly resistant diamond film are made of highly-oriented diamond films where either (100) or (111) crystal planes of diamond cover at least 80% of the film surface, and the differences {.DELTA..alpha., .DELTA..beta., .DELTA..gamma.} of Euler angles {.alpha., .beta., .gamma.} which represent the crystal plane orientation, satisfy .vertline..DELTA..alpha..vertline.<10.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing an oriented diamond film on a single crystal silicon substrate which comprises preconditioning the surface of the substrate by exposing the surface of the substrate to a carbon-containing plasma, subjecting the preconditioned surface to electrical bias to effect nucleation of the substrate surface for oriented diamond crystal growth while monitoring the completion of nucleation over the surface of the substrate and depositing crystalline diamond on the nucleated surface from a carbon-containing plasma. The resulting structure comprises a crystalline diamond film on the silicon substrate characterised by oriented columnar diamond crystals which form a substantially uniform tessellated pattern. In practice, the columnar crystals normally have a generally quadrilateral shape whose sides are mutually aligned.

Abstract: Techniques for synthesizing diamond films include a method for anisotropically etching a diamond film. The method includes the steps of selectively patterning a mask layer on a surface of a diamond film and then subjecting the mask layer and exposed surface portions of the diamond film to a hydrogen-containing plasma, while negatively biasing the diamond film to convert the exposed surface portions of the diamond layer to nondiamond carbon. Negatively biasing the diamond film in the hydrogen-containing plasma causes an emission of electrons to thereby convert exposed diamond surface portions to nondiamond carbon. The hydrogen-containing plasma continuously removes the nondiamond carbon from the surface and maintains the electron emission efficiency of the exposed diamond surface so that further etching can take place.

Abstract: A capacitive transducer includes a first electrically conductive layer, and a diamond diaphragm mounted opposite the first electrically conductive Layer so as to be moveable relative to the first electrically conductive layer. The first electrically conductive layer defines a first plate for the transducer, while the diaphragm defines the second plate for the transducer. In one embodiment of the transducer, the diamond layer is degeneratively doped providing the second plate. The microelectronic capacitive transducer preferably also includes an insulating layer on a face of the diamond layer adjacent the electrically conductive layer defining an overpressure stop for the transducer. The transducer includes absolute or differential pressure sensing embodiments. The microelectronic capacitive transducer may also be configured as an actuator. The diamond layer may be highly oriented diamond including semiconductor devices formed therein to provide signal conditioning. A fabrication method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor element using highly-oriented diamond film comprises a magnetic detecting part, at least a pair of main current electrodes for flowing a main current and generating the Hall electromotive force at the magnetic detecting part, and detection electrodes for detecting said Hall electromotive force. Said magnetic detecting part is formed of a highly-oriented diamond film grown by chemical vapor deposition, at least 90% of which consists of either (100) or (111) crystal planes. Between the adjacent crystal planes, the differences {.DELTA..alpha., .DELTA..beta., .DELTA..gamma.} of the Euler angles {.alpha., .beta., .gamma.} which represent the orientation of the crystal planes, satisfy the following relations simultaneously: .vertline..DELTA..alpha..vertline..ltoreq.10.degree., .vertline..DELTA..beta..vertline..ltoreq.10.degree. and .vertline..DELTA..gamma..vertline..ltoreq.10 .degree..

Abstract: A microelectronic structure including a plurality of spaced apart diamond structures on which a plurality of semiconductor devices may be formed. The semiconductor devices include a semiconducting diamond layer on each of the diamond structures. The diamond structures are preferably oriented relative to a single crystal nondiamond substrate so that the diamond structures have a (100)-oriented outer face for forming the semiconductor devices thereon. The microelectronic structure may be diced into discrete devices, or the devices interconnected, such as to form a higher powered device. One embodiment of the microelectronic structure includes the plurality of diamond structures, wherein each diamond structure is formed of a highly oriented textured diamond layer approaching single crystal quality, yet capable of fabrication on a single crystal nondiamond substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the nucleation of diamond by pretreating a substrate by electrically biasing a diamond film adjacent the substrate while exposing the substrate and the thus biased diamond film to a carbon-containing plasma. The bias pretreatment may be maintained for a time period in the range of about 1 hour to 2 hours to achieve a high diamond nucleation density. Alternatively, the biasing may be continued until diamond film formation is indicated by a change in reflectivity of the surface of the substrate. The biasing pretreating may be used to nucleate diamond heteroepitaxially on a substrate having a surface film formed of a material having a relatively close lattice match to diamond, such as .beta.-silicon carbide. The apparatus includes a laser reflection interferometer to monitor the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A diamond film FET according to the present invention comprises a semiconducting diamond layer, a gate, a source, and a drain, wherein said semiconducting diamond layer comprises a semiconducting highly-oriented diamond film grown by chemical vapor deposition, and at least 80% of the surface area of said diamond film consists of either (100) or (111) crystal planes, and the differences {.DELTA..alpha., .DELTA..beta., .DELTA..gamma.} of Euler angles {.alpha., .beta., .gamma.}, which represent the orientations of either (100) or (111) crystal planes, simultaneously satisfy the following relations between the adjacent crystal planes: .vertline..DELTA..alpha..vertline..ltoreq.5.degree., .vertline..DELTA..beta..vertline..ltoreq.5.degree. and .vertline..DELTA..gamma..vertline..ltoreq.5.degree..