Thin diamond films increasingly are used in such applications already.

It remains to be seen whether carbon nitride is better than diamond film in these applications.

Such diamond films are used to harden tools for steel cutting and drilling.

The carbon was then deposited on a target as a thin diamond film.

The article also misstated the thickness of the diamond film; it was seven millionths of a meter.

Beamalloy calls this coating a "diamond" film, while some competitors contend that it is merely "diamond-like."

Patent uncertainties and questions about the size of the potential market also affect the pace of investment in many technologies, including diamond films.

SI Diamond is developing displays based on synthetic diamond film.

In pursuit of better detectors, scientists are trying to exploit particles of gold, diamond film, lasers and even plants.

In the case of diamond film as the basis of a new type of video display, a successful prototype has yet to be demonstrated.