Enhancement of nucleation and adhesion of diamond films on copper, stainless steel, and silicon substrates

We report here enhancement of nucleation and adhesion of diamond films on nondiamond substrates such as copper, stainless steel, and silicon substrates. The enhancement of nucleation is accomplished by pulsed laser irradiation which converts some of the amorphous carbon on the surface into the diamond phase or forms a reaction product that facilitates nucleation of diamond phase. The laser can also be used to evaporate carbon preferentially, leaving behind diamond particles unaffected. By pulsed laser irradiation it is possible to melt the substrate and embed the diamond particles into it, thus improving the adhesion of the diamond film.