A riveting look at the science, technology and people involved in overcoming early impracticalities of the fledgling chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthesis method and its development in today's state of commercial readiness. Provides insights into numerous vapor phase techniques. Surveys the synthesis, structure, properties and applications of diamondlike carbon. Details current and rapidly emerging applications, manufacturing and markets.

Karl E. Spear is Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University - Penn State. He received a B.S. - mathematics - from Baker University, a Ph.D. - physical chemistry - from the University of Kansas, and studied 15 months at the University of Münster, Germany on an NSF Graduate Fellowship.