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

Abstract

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.