Electrical

Diamond has always been considered to be the ultimate material for the fabrication of active electronic devices for the most demanding high power and high frequency applications. However, until recently it has not been available in sufficient quality or purity.

Theoretical figure-of-merit comparisons indicate that CVD diamond should offer a substantially higher level of performance than other established electronic materials, such as silicon or gallium arsenide. Due to its large bandgap and material purity, diamond is an excellent electrical insulator. Doping of CVD diamond however, makes it possible to create materials that can conduct.

The exploration of the electrical properties of diamond have only just begun, but diamond-based electronic devices could include high-voltage switching in future generation power distribution networks and high power, high frequency communication systems.