CVD diamond films as photon detectors

We present an overview of our research on Chemical Vapour Deposited (CVD) diamond films as photon detectors, Samples are grown in our laboratories using three different methods: microwave plasma enhanced CVD (MWPECVD), DC glow discharge CVD (DCGDCVD) and hot filament CVD (HFCVD), We present the photoelectrical properties of these samples having contacts in planar and sandwich configuration, taking into account the roles of material microstructure and electrical configuration. Their photoresponse has been measured in the whole visible-near UV spectral range with the aim to characterize their UV selectivity and to evaluate their gap-state density. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.