Preface to the proceedings of the 1st European conference on diamond and diamond-like carbon coatings, Crans-Montana, September 17-19, 1990

The first European Conference on Diamond and Diamond-like Carbon Coatings, Diamond Films '90, took place in Crans-Montana, Switzerland over the three days 17-19 September, 1990. To describe it as a success would, we believe, be understating the enormous impact this event had in providing a focus for European, and indeed worldwide, interest in this important subject area. 'Some 340 scientists and engineers from academia and industry in 32 countries attended the conference, 40 participants came from the Soviet Union, making this one of the first events to benefit from and foster the improved climate of understanding between East and West. About 200 abstracts were submitted for consideration by the Programme Committee, from which about 150 were finally accepted as either verbal or poster presentations. Following refereeing procedures on manuscripts submitted, the papers contained in this volume were accepted for publication, and these represent a most comprehensive compilation of papers across the spectrum of research into the preparation, characterisation and application of diamond and diamond-like carbon films. The invited papers in particular present an insight into the current state-of-the-art and these have been specially selected to launch the new journal Diamond and Related Materials, published by Elsevier Sequoia, Lausanne. The contributed papers contained herein are also published in a special issue of Surface and Coatings Technology. The Conference is considered to be a major success, and this could not have been achieved without the input and support by a number of individuals and organisations. These include our fellow members of the Programme Committee, Dr. M. Kamo and Dr. T. R. Anthony, and the members of the International Scientific Steering Committee. The conference was sponsored in part by the European Commission and the Harwell Laboratory of AEA Technology, whose support is gratefully acknowledged. Special thanks go to Mrs. Gemma Schaepman of COMST, Conference Organisers in Medicine Science and Technology, for her efficient and friendly administration of an event that was the starting point of the Diamond Films conference series