Nucleation and Growth of Low-Pressure Diamond

Abstract

The great breakthrough in low-pressure diamond synthesis research came with the discovery that diamond growth is also possible on non-diamond substrates /1,2/. Since then these methods have developed rapidly /3–6/. Despite intensive work by hundreds of scientists, in-depth knowledge about the diamond nucleation and growth mechanism is still lacking. Several authors /7–12/ have discussed atomic attachment mechanisms, but more systematic experimental work and quantitative data which could provide practical guidance is still needed.