Abstract

The unique multispectral transparency properties of diamond, combined with its chemical inertness, biocompatibility, hardness, and mechanical strength, enable it to serve as a window or optical probe in a variety of aggressive or biomedical environments. We have characterized the optical and mechanical properties of transparent GE CVD diamond using a combination of methods. The optical transmission is nearly equivalent to type IIa natural diamond from the ultraviolet to the far-infrared. Little sp² carbon is detectable by FT-Raman spectroscopy with near infrared excitation for enhanced sensitivity. The Young’s and shear modulus, measured by a dynamic resonance method on free-standing disks, have typical values near 1150 and 530 GPa, respectively, in excellent agreement with theoretical values for pure polycrystalline diamond. The fracture strength is typically about 0.8–1 GPa.

© 1995 Optical Society of America