Diamond and Cubic Boron Nitride: Properties, Growth and Applications

Abstract

Since their first synthesis, cubic boron nitride (c-BN) and diamond thin films have triggered a vivid interest in these wide band gap materials for many different applications. Because of superior properties, c-BN and diamond can be applied in optic, electronic and acoustic for high performances devices. In this discussion, we first describe briefly the properties of c-BN and diamond and we review both the growth techniques and the progresses achieved in the synthesis of c-BN and diamond, and in a second part, characteristics of new c-BN and diamond UV detectors for solar observation are reported. These photo-detectors present extremely low dark current, high breakdown voltage, high responsivity and stability under UV irradiation. Finally, diamond based acoustic devices and sensors are presented. High frequency acoustic wave devices can be design for high frequency filtering or sensing applications. Diamond/AlN micro-cantilevers are excellent platform for sensor applications.