The nitrogen content of type Ib synthetic diamond

Abstract

Abstract The concentration of single nitrogen atoms in type Ib synthetic diamond has been measured, by electron paramagnetic resonance and by inert-gas fusion, as a function of the strength of the infrared absorption produced by these centres. The two methods yield, in good agreement, values of 22·0 ±.1·1 at. p.p.m. and 20·6±1·5 at. p.p.m. respectively, for an absorption coefficient of 1cm −1 at 1130 wavenumbers. These values agree tolerably well with an earlier value of 25 at. p.p.m./cm−1 given by others, so calling into question the generally accepted data pertaining to the strength of the infrared absorption produced by the A centres, or nitrogen pairs, found in type Ia (natural) diamond.