Welcome to the 23^rd Hasselt Diamond Workshop!

The 23^rd meeting of the international Hasselt Diamond Workshop continues the tradition of being the annual “early bird” venue for researchers to exchange the latest news on the progress in science and applications of CVD diamond. The meeting began in 1996 as a workshop for discussions about ‘Surface and Bulk Defects in Diamond’ (hence the acronym SBDD), and has since became known as one of the premier international conferences on diamond science and technology. Through the yearly rotation of the Chair, each edition gets a clear signature programme based on the Chair's field of expertise.  This year, the SBDD XXIII programme will cover annually returning topics with special emphasis on the chemistry and physics of diamond growth and interfaces, and their use in a wide variety of electronic, biomedical and optical applications. Control over interfacial properties and defects, doping, and the increasingly important issue of high-quality large-area epitaxial diamond substrates, are requirements that are commonly shared with other topics, such as diamond quantum devices and high-power electronics. Traditionally, SBDD XXIII is looking forward to provide a forum where fundamental and application-driven viewpoints can be discussed at the highest level.

We sincerely hope to see you soon in Hasselt for SBDD XXIII, enjoying CVD diamond science and Hasselt’s hospitality!

Paul May, Chair SBDD XXIII, and the Hasselt Diamond Workshop Organisation and Programme Board.