Automated FTIR mapping of boron distribution in diamond

D. Howell*, A. T. Collins, L. C. Loudin, P. L. Diggle, U. F.S. D'Haenens-Johansson, K. V. Smit, A. N. Katrusha, J. E. Butler, F. Nestola

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Type IIb diamonds are those that contain more boron than nitrogen. The presence of this uncompensated boron gives rise to absorption in the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum, extending into the visible region and often resulting in blue colouration. Here we report on the expansion of the DiaMap freeware (for the automated spectral deconvolution of Type I [nitrogen containing] diamonds) to work on Type IIb diamonds, returning concentrations from three boron-related absorption bands, and determining which band provides the most reliable value. The program uses the calibration coefficients of Collins (2010), which show good relative agreement between the three bands, but might require some further study to confirm their absolute accuracy to the uncompensated boron concentration. The methodology of DiaMap_IIb is applicable to all Type IIb diamonds, both natural and synthetic. Analysis of high-resolution Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) maps of two high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) synthetic diamonds using DiaMap_IIb, confirm the growth sector dependence of the boron incorporation. Partitioning of boron strongly favours the octahedral {111} sectors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)207-215
Number of pages9
JournalDiamond and Related Materials
Volume96
Early online date22 May 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2019

Funding

DH wishes to acknowledge funding from an ERC Starting Grant (grant number 307322 ) to FN, as well as funding from the DCO in his current position at the University of Alberta, and financial support from Diamond Durability Laboratory for this project. Nick Nicholas is thanked for his assistance in modifying the DiaMap code used in this project. Appendix A

FundersFunder number
Diamond Durability Laboratory
Seventh Framework Programme307322
University of Alberta
European Research Council

    Keywords

    • Boron defects
    • DiaMap
    • Impurities
    • Sector partitioning
    • Type IIb diamonds

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