Abstract: A process for forming diamond like films of carbon on substrates at room temperature using physical vapour deposition. A source of carbon is physically ablated in the vicintity of a substrate to deposit on the substrate all forms of carbon. A physical discrimination process is applied continuously to remove graphite grains while leaving the aliphatic diamond form intact. The source of carbon is typically a high purity carbon rod. The substrate is typically metal or glass placed within about 60 centimeters where laser pulse energy of 50 millijoules peak power is used. Physical ablation is carried out by ion beam, arc or laser ablation. The resulting carbon plume impinges on the substrate and is thermally quenched. Physical discrimination between carbon forms is by using a laser having a wavelength which is absorbed by graphitic forms but which passes through the aliphatic forms without absorption thereby allowing thermal quenching of the diamond like aliphatic forms.

Abstract: A process for production of diamond-like films comprising the steps of physically ablating a source of carbon in the vicinity of a substrate such that a carbon film grows on the substrate through bonding of carbon atoms in graphitic form and aliphatic form; and physically discriminating the carbon film during growth thereof by supressing or etching the graphitic form within the carbon film while permitting the aliphatic form to remain thereby resulting in a diamond-like film.