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Diamond thin films 93

Figure 5.7. A diamond-coated tungsten wire that is about the same diameter as a
human hair.

tings have also been demonstrated, and could form the basis of smart com-
posite structures.

5.8.8 Particle detectors
One area where CVD diamond is beginning to find a market is as a detec-
tor for ultraviolet light and high energy particles. High performance ultra-
violet detectors have already been demonstrated and are now in
commercial production. Diamond can be used to detect other high energy
particles (such as alpha- and beta-particles and neutrons), and be used as a
replacement for silicon in the next generation of particle accelerators.
Since diamond has a similar response to damage by X-rays and gamma rays
as human tissue, a possible application is in medical applications, as a
dosimeter for radiation exposure.

5.9 Summary

Despite the rapid progress made in the past 10 years in the science and
technology behind diamond film CVD, the commercialisation of this