The values of the unit cell (UC) parameter were measured and elements of the internal
structure were determined in polycrystalline diamond films (PDFs) using x-ray diffraction.
It was established that the values of the UC parameter were connected with the dislocation
densities in mosaic PDF crystallites. The dislocation density was calculated from measured
microdistortions and dispersion in the blocks based on the surface stretch forces that
arise on the boundaries between blocks. This allowed more precise computing of
the dislocation density. A similar connection between the UC parameter and
dislocation density also exists in epitaxial diamond films and in plastic deformed
natural type IIb and Ic diamonds. A regular relationship between physical values
of the UC parameter and dislocation density in mosaic diamond materials was
determined using mathematical modelling. An increase in the dislocation density
results in a decrease in the UC parameter from 0.356 689 nm in more pure and
perfect type IIa diamonds to a limiting value of 0.356 42 nm in PDF samples.