Synthetic Diamond Coatings with Intermediate Amorphous Metal Bonding Layers and Methods of Applying Such Coatings

This invention relates to methods of making new and improved diamond, "diamond-like carbon" (a-C) and "diamond-like hydrocarbon" (a-C:H) coatings bonded to substrates by using intermediate bonding layers comprising amorphous "glassy" metals, engineered to reduce the residual stress in the diamond coatings, and to articles of manufacture made using such methods.