Drapable diamond thin films and method for the preparation thereof
View Patent ↗Wetted thin diamond films which are drapable are described. The films are mounted on various substrates and used as windows for electromagnetic radiation or form a surface coating on an article of manufacture.
1. A method for forming a diamond thin film which comprises:
(a) vapor depositing a diamond thin film (DTF) on a substrate which is dissolvable by a chemical solution which does not dissolve the DTF;
(b) dissolving the substrate in the chemical solution so that the thin film remains in the chemical solution and is drapable; and
(c) removing the drapable DTF from the chemical solution and placing the DTF into a non-etching solution so that the DTF floats on the surface of the non-etching solution, wherein the DTF when removed wet from the non-etching solution has the ability to form various shapes as a result of being drapable and to be dried when the non-etching solution is removed from the DTF.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein in addition the DTF is removed from the non-etching solution and deposited while wet on a support means.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the support means is placed in the non-etching solution and then removed from the non-etching solution with the DTF on the support.
4. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein the non-etching solution is an aqueous solution.
5. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein the non-etching solution is essentially water.
6. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein the DTF provides a window which is transparent to electromagnetic radiation in a holder as a support.
7. The method of claim 2 wherein the DTF is secured by bonding to the support means.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the film has a thickness of about 10 microns or less.
9. A method for forming a composite structure with a diamond thin film which comprises:
(a) vapor depositing a diamond thin film (DTF) on a substrate which is dissolvable by a chemical solution which does not dissolve the DTF;
(b) dissolving the substrate in the chemical solution so that the thin film remains in the chemical solution and is drapable;
(c) removing the drapable DTF from the chemical solution and placing the DTF into a non-etching solution so that the DTF floats on the surface of the non-etching solution;
(d) placing the drapable DTF on a support means; and
(e) securing the flexible DTF on the support means and removing the non-etching solution so that the DTF is dry to form the composite structure.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the DTF is removed from the non-etching solution and deposited while wet on the support means.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the support means is placed in the non-etching solution and then removed from the non-etching solution with the DTF on the support.
12. The method of any one of claims 9 , 10 or 11 wherein the non-etching solution is an aqueous solution.
13. The method of any one of claims 9 , 10 or 11 wherein the non-etching solution is essentially water.
14. The method of any one of claims 9 , 10 or 11 wherein the DTF provides a window in the holder which is transparent to electromagnetic radiation.
15. The method of claim 9 wherein the DTF is secured by bonding to the support means.