US 5,478,650 A
Nanophase diamond filmsGeneral
US 5,478,650 A
Nanophase diamond films
Tech Center:
1700 Chemical and Materials Engineering
Examiner:
Archene Turner
Art Unit:
1784 Miscellaneous Articles, Stock Material, Adhesive Composition, Fabrics
Agent:
Inventors:
FARZIN DAVANLOO; CARL B. COLLINS
Assignee:
DAVANLOO, FARZIN
Priority:
04/18/88
Filed:
05/02/95
Granted:
12/26/95
Expiration:
05/02/15
Abstract
Films of nanometer-scale nodules of diamond-bonded carbon structures are disclosed. Such films may be used, for example, to coat objects to improve their resistance to wear. Moreover, because the nanophase diamond films of the present invention are of optical quality, they may be used to coat optical lenses and the like. The nanophase diamond films of the present invention have diamond-like properties, indicating a preponderance of sp.sup.3 bonds within the nodules and a substantial absence of hydrogen and graphite within the nodules. If desired, the nanophase diamond films disclosed herein may be created to have a hardness exceeding that of natural diamond, depending on the quantity of graphite left in the voids between the nodules. The nanophase diamond films of the present invention are also characterized by a low coefficient of friction, by low average internal stress, and by an optical quality capable of providing a visual appearance of Newton's rings of interference.