The atomic structures of relaxed amorphous carbon models with diamond
density are investigated, and the related scattering, electronic, and
vibrational properties are analysed. Purely tetrahedrally coordinated
models were generated using a bond switch Monte Carlo algorithm simila
r to the Wooten-Winer-Weaire method for amorphous silicon. These defec
t-free models are compared with models produced by density-functional-
based tight-binding molecular dynamics as well as by molecular dynamic
s using the classical Tersoff potential. The stability and properties
of ''amorphous diamond'' are discussed, and the consequences for netwo
rk strain and gap states of frequently appearing undercoordinated atom
s are deduced.