How Scientists used Scotch tape to Create Ultra-Thin Films of Diamond

Researchers have developed a new method to create ultra-thin films of diamond using Scotch tape, which could revolutionize the production of diamond-based electronics.

Table of Contents

Invention of the Method

The method was discovered accidentally by Jing Jixiang, an electrical engineer at the University of Hong Kong. While working on a project, Jixiang used Scotch tape to peel away a small piece of diamond from a silicon wafer.
Initially, the team implanted nano-sized diamonds into a small silicon wafer and exposed it to methane gas at high temperatures, a process known as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which is commonly used to create thin films for semiconductors.
To extract the diamond layer, the researchers cut the silicon wafer to expose the diamond edge and applied Scotch tape. Peeling the tape away successfully removed a thin layer of diamond.
A similar Scotch tape technique was used to create graphene (a single layer of carbon atoms).

Electronic Properties of Diamond

Acts as a good insulator.
Allows electrons of certain energies to move with minimal resistance.
Can handle higher energies with greater efficiency compared to silicon chips.

Properties and Advantages of Diamond Films

Thinness and Smoothness: The produced diamond films are extremely thin (less than one micrometre) and smooth enough to support standard micromanufacturing techniques.
Flexibility: The films are highly flexible, allowing for applications in various technological fields, including electronics and sensors.

Potential Applications:

Quantum Devices: Diamond’s unique properties make it suitable for sensors in quantum technologies.
High-Energy Electronics: Ideal for handling greater energy loads with efficiency.
Power Grids: Could revolutionize power grids and electric vehicles by managing larger amounts of electricity.