Diamond sensors for extreme environments

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Diamond is wasted as a gemstone; it is actually a wide band-gap semiconductor withmany superior electronic properties to conventional materials such as silicon. It ischemically inert in terms of the bulk, but the surface can be surface chemicallyfunctionalized to adjust its properties. It shows a greater "electrochemical window"- the voltage that can be supported before unwanted aqueous redox reactions set in- than other materials. Add its mechanical, acoustic, optical and thermal properties,it is a unique material for the realization of active sensors for gaseous and liquidspecies in extreme environments. The oil industry relies on a range of 'down-well'sensors particularly for well logging use. High pressures, temperatures andaggressive chemical environments down an oil well make most materials unsuitablefor use as sensors - diamond is being actively pursued as a solution to this problem.This PhD programme will involve the development of novel chemical and opticalsensing approaches to be implemented with diamond. Diamond surfacefunctionalization and subsequent electrochemistry is likely to feature throughout.Semiconductor 'clean-room' processing technologies will be used to fabricate testdevices for subsequent evaluation.