Fabrication and applications of the optical diamond-like carbon films: a review

Optical diamond-like carbon films applied in the optical and opto-electronical fields are paid attention in this review. Based on the reported experimental data during the last decade primarily, influence of sp(3) hybridized bond on the optical bandgap and optical constant of the optical diamond-like carbon film is discussed. Effect of ambient gas and doping materials on the optical and opto-electronical properties of diamond-like carbon films is also studied according to the reported references. As an emphasis, various applications of the optical diamond-like carbon coatings are reviewed. Excellent protective performance of the diamond-like carbon films in the optical field is attributed to its high hardness, good chemical inertness, low friction, along with the necessary broadband transparence. Diamond-like carbon film is also an efficient ITO-free transparent electrode for photovoltaic applications, which is resulted from their unique microstructural, mechanical, electrical, and optical properties. Optical diamond-like carbon thin film can also be used as the luminous material to extend the emission peak.