A new method for diamond film preparation by laser ablation of a highl
y dispersive diamond target is proposed. Transmission and scanning ele
ctron microscopy, Raman and Auger spectroscopy data prove that the dep
osited film consists of cubic diamond. The density of diamond crystall
ites is 10(11)-10(12) cm-2 . They were used as nucleation centres for
subsequent CVD growth of thick diamond film.