Traditionally, commercial diamond synthesis was achieved almost entirely by the high-pressure, high-temperature technique, but in recent years, low-pressure diamond synthesis has attracted worldwide interest due to the potential commercial application of diamond films. Thin Film Diamond offers reviews of these low-pressure diamond synthesis techniques written by the leading international authorities in the field.

Chemical vapour deposition of diamond - J C Angus; Thin film diamond growth mechanisms - J E Butler; Microwave plasma chemical vapour deposition and related techniques for low pressure diamond synthesis - P K Bachmann; Local epitaxial growth of diamond on nickel from the vapour phase - Y Sato; The optical and electronic properties of semiconducting diamond - A T Collins; The thermal conductivity of CVD diamond films - T R Anthony; Electron irradiation and heat treatment of polycrystalline CVD diamond - C D Clark; Strength, fracture and erosion properties of CVD diamond - J E Field. Deposition of diamond-like carbon - J Robertson; Applications of diamond-like carbon thin films - A H Lettington; Diamond as a wear-resistant coating - B Lux; Thermal and optical applications of thin film diamond - M Seal.