Researchers at TU Wien are celebrating 40 years since the university first produced lab-grown diamonds using the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method. In an interview, pioneers Roland Haubner and Reinhard Bichler recalled their breakthrough that positioned TU Wien at the forefront of CVD-diamond research.
Unlike natural diamonds, which form under high pressure and temperature deep within the Earth, CVD diamonds are created in laboratories using atomic hydrogen and methane gas. “CVD diamonds have the same physical properties as natural diamonds, but their controlled production allows consistent quality essential for industrial use,” Haubner explained.
Initially aimed at scientific and industrial applications rather than jewelry, CVD diamonds proved crucial for wear-resistant coatings, electronics cooling systems, and optical windows due to their hardness, thermal conductivity, and transparency.
The pair described the excitement of their first successful synthesis despite technical challenges and skepticism. Their work inspired further international research, particularly in the US, and highlighted the importance of perseverance in fundamental science.
Now retired, both researchers remain advocates for the continued study of CVD diamonds. “Diamonds still hold enormous potential,” said Bichler. “This research teaches us that breakthroughs often come from persistence and fundamental curiosity.”
Source: TU Wien
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