This invention relates to a high thermal conductivity composite material
which comprises diamond particles and a copper matrix useful as
electronic heat sinks for electronics parts, particularly for
semiconductor lasers, high performance MPUs (micro-processing units),
etc., also to a process for the production of the same and a heat sink
using the same. According to the high thermal conductivity diamond
sintered compact of the present invention, in particular, there can be
provided a heat sink having a high thermal conductivity as well as
matching of thermal expansions, most suitable for mounting a large sized
and high thermal load semiconductor chip, for example, high output
semiconductor lasers, high performance MPU, etc. Furthermore, the
properties such as thermal conductivity and thermal expansion can freely
be controlled, so it is possible to select the most suitable heat sink
depending upon the features and designs of elements to be mounted.