Elastic constants of cubic boron nitride films

The elastic constants of a cubic boron nitride film, with a fraction of tetrahedral bonding of 96% were measured by surface Brillouin spectroscopy. Precise values for both shear and Young modulus were obtained. A comparison with nanoindentation results was made and a critical discussion of the discrepancies is offered. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)01539-4].