Comparison of diamond-like carbon to diamond for applications

We note that many potential applications of diamond do not require single crystalline diamond, but use nano-crystalline diamond, in order to have a smooth surface at low cost. We thus compare the possible use of amorphous diamond-like carbon which is smooth, inert and can be deposited at high rate even at room temperature. These applications include most protective coatings and in future could include biosensors, provided that high quality semiconducting properties are not needed. (C) 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.