One-phonon infrared absorption in diamond

Analysis of Carbon Materials with Infrared Photoacoustic Spectroscopy

Measurement of infrared spectroscopy has emerged as a significant challenge for carbon materials due to the sampling problem. To overcome this issue, in this work, we performed measurements of IR spectra for carbon materials including C60, C70, diamond powders, graphene, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using the photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) technique; for comparison, the vibrational patterns of these materials were also studied with a conventional transmission method, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy, or Raman spectroscopy. We found that the IR photoacoustic spectroscopy (IR-PAS) scheme worked successfully for these carbon materials, offering advantages in sampling. Interestingly, the profiles of IR-PAS spectra for graphene and CNTs exhibit negative bands using carbon black as the reference; the negative spectral information may provide valuable knowledge about the storage energy, production, structure, defect, or impurity of graphene and CNTs. Thus, this approach may open a new avenue for analyzing carbon materials.

Characterization of the nitrogen state in HPHT diamonds grown in an Fe–C melt with a low sulfur addition

This paper reports the results of high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) diamonds growing in an Fe–C melt with introduction of 1 wt% sulfur.

The NV-N+ charged pair in diamond: a quantum-mechanical investigation

The NV^-N⁺ charged pair in diamond has been investigated by using a Gaussian-type basis set, the B3LYP functional, the supercell scheme and the CRYSTAL code. It turns out that: (i) when the distance between the two defects is larger than 6-7 Å, the properties of the double defect are the superposition of the properties of the individual defects. (ii) The energy required for the reaction NV⁰ + N_s→ NV^- + N⁺ is roughly -1.3 eV at about 12 Å, irrespective of the basis set and functional adopted, and remains negative at any larger distance. (iii) These results support the observation of a charge transfer mechanism through a N_s→ NV⁰ donation occurring in the ground state, through a tunnelling process, without irradiation. (iv) The IR spectrum of the two subunits is characterized by specific peaks, that might be used as fingerprints. (v) Calculation of electrostatic interaction permitted an estimate of the effective charge of the defects.

Coupled deep-mantle carbon-water cycle: Evidence from lower-mantle diamonds

Diamonds form in a variety of environments between subducted crust, lithospheric and deep mantle. Recently, deep source diamonds with inclusions of the high-pressure H₂O-phase ice-VII were discovered. By correlating the pressures of ice-VII inclusions with those of other high-pressure inclusions, we assess quantitatively the pressures and temperatures of their entrapment. We show that the ice-VII-bearing diamonds formed at depths down to 800 ± 60 km but at temperatures 200–500 K below average mantle temperature that match the pressure-temperature conditions of decomposing dense hydrous mantle silicates. Our work presents strong evidence for coupled recycling of water and carbon in the deep mantle based on natural samples.

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A novel approach was developed to assess the pressure-temperature conditions of entrapment of inclusions in diamonds

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The viscoelastic relaxation of diamond has a significant effect on the evolution of pressure and temperature

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Ice-VII-bearing diamonds have formed in wet, cool environments at depths down to 800 km

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The coupled recycling of water and carbon is present in the deep mantle

The effect of pressure on synthetic diamond crystals at high temperatures and pressures in an Fe/Ni catalyst system

Pressure is a necessary condition for the growth of natural diamond.

Effect of HPHT Treatment on Spectroscopic Features of Natural Type Ib-IaA Diamonds Containing Y Centers

In this paper, we report a spectroscopic study of natural type Ib-IaA diamonds containing Y centers subjected to high-pressure high-temperature treatment at 7–7.5 GPa and 1700–2200 °C. Diamond samples showing the Y centers as the dominant absorption feature in the infrared spectra were selected from a collection of natural diamonds from alluvial placers of the northeastern Siberian Platform. The samples were investigated by spectroscopic techniques before and after each annealing stage. It was found that upon annealing at temperatures higher than 2000°C, the defect-induced one-phonon spectra changed from the Y centers to a new form with a characteristic band peaking at 1060 cm−1. Photoluminescence spectra of the samples were modified after each annealing stage starting from 1700 °C. The most significant changes in photoluminescence occurred at temperatures higher than 2000 °C and were associated with a sharp increase of the intensity of an emission band peaking at about 690 nm. A comparison with natural red-luminescing diamonds from Yakutian kimberlite pipes was performed. It was concluded that the observed 1060 cm−1 IR band and the 690 nm red emission band are genetically related to the Y centers and that defects or impurities responsible for the Y centers appear quite widespread in natural diamonds from various deposits worldwide.

Synthesis and characterization of diamonds using C3H5N3O as an organic additive under high pressure and high temperature

In the NiMnCo–C system, diamond single crystals have been successfully synthesized by adding C₃H₅N₃O as an organic additive under 5.5–6.2 GPa and 1280–1320 °C.

Quantitative analysis of nitrogen defect N4 in diamond with photoluminescence excited in the 170-240 nm region

Upon excitation at 170-240 nm, diamonds emit strong luminescence in wavelength range of 300-700 nm. The spectral features observed in the photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra show two vibrational progressions, A and B, related to nitrogen defects N2 and N4, respectively. We used PLE spectra excited in region 170-240 nm to identify the type of diamond and demonstrate quantitative analysis of the B center as a N4 nitrogen defect in diamonds; the least detectable concentration of the N4 nitrogen defect is about 13 ppb, and the sensitivity of PLE is about 30 times than that practicable with infrared absorption spectra.

Photochromic charge transfer processes in natural pink and brown diamonds

Natural pink and brown diamonds exhibit surprising photochromic phenomena when optically pumped with ultraviolet light of photon energy ϵ ≥ 4.1 eV, including a subsequent sensitivity to infrared pumps, which is not evident prior to UV exposure. In this study, we observe the dependence of photochromism on pump photon energy and intensity, for both UV and IR pumps. From these observations, we propose a model of several distinct charge transfer processes between multiple species of optically active defect centres. We show it is likely that the UV-induced behaviour of pink diamond photochromism is linked to the vacancy clusters responsible for brown colouration in diamonds.

Conversion of platelets into dislocation loops and voidite formation in type IaB diamonds

Type la natural diamonds have been heated in the temperature range of 2400-2700°C under stabilizing pressures. The specimens studied are mainly regular type IaB diamonds. Transmission electron microscopy studies of treated speci­mens show that platelets are converted to interstitial ½ a 0 <011> dislocation loops; voidites are also formed. When all the platelets have been converted, the ex­perimental features associated with them also disappear, i. e. the X-ray extra reflections (spikes), the B' local-mode absorption and the lattice absorption in the one-phonon region termed the D spectrum. It is discovered that when diamonds are heated under graphite-stable rather than diamond-stable conditions, the rate of conversion is considerably enhanced; for instance, at 2650°C there is an increase in the rate of about three orders of magnitude. This enhancement is considered to be due to the instability of the diamond structure itself and a reason for this enhancement is suggested.