Tricks of the Trade

• Excess H₂ essential (1% CH₄ / 99% H₂)
  
  • etches graphite, not diamond
  • stabilises diamond surface
  • removes polymers from gas phase

• Hot Substrate (> 700°C)
  
  • gives species mobility on surface

• Pre-abrade surface
  
  • provides nucleation sites
  • and/or seed crystals