The synthesis, properties and applications of diamond ceramic materials

The authors summarize the important characteristics of diamond, particularly as they relate to electronic applications. It is noted that broad use for semiconductor device application has been prevented due to both cost and poor device quality materials. In the case of substrate and packaging applications, where the extremely high thermal conductivity of diamond should excel, cost has been the primary problem. A novel explosive technique for synthesizing ultra-fine diamond powder from organic explosives is described. Two techniques for sintering diamond ceramic bodies from these powders are discussed, and two approaches for synthesizing device-quality films utilizing these substrates are postulated.<>