Depends, as its the quenching technique that they are using after the pulse to rapidly dissipate the heat that may still make it possible.
http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/journ....1063/1.4936595One point in particular catches the eye :
QUOTE
The amorphous carbon films were deposited on sapphire (c-plane), glass, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) substrates by using KrF laser (pulse duration = 25 ns, wavelength = 248 nm, energy density = 3.0 J cm−2) to a thickness of 50–500 nm
emphasis mine as HDPE is a widely used plastic, from everything from milk jugs to piping, and thermally it would not stand up to the aforementioned 4000 K either, so the quenching technique must be rapid enough to lose the heat before structural integrity is lost in the plastic substrate.
http://www.livescience.com/52974-new-mater...an-diamond.html here this article mentions a bit more about the speed which it cools it down at.
QUOTE
But the quenching process cools the liquid carbon at 1.8 billion degrees Fahrenheit per second (1 billion degrees Celsius per second).
now keep in mind everything is happening here in nanoseconds so when you look at whole seconds it seems huge, but even at the tiny bits of time, this is a considerable cooldown which in turn does mean they can use a range of substrate to lay the diamond film on.
In any case, will be worth keeping an eye on this research.
Plus did you see the part where they say they can make this stuff GLOW?
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The tight fit between carbon atoms also means electrons are bursting to get out of the carbon atoms, so the slightest voltage can spur carbon atoms to release electrons, creating a soft glow. That makes it perfect for creating screen displays that use less power, Narayan said.
So if they can figure out how make a coating on a pleather jacket and apply a small current you too could look FAABUULOOUUS!