Optical absorption and luminescence in diamond

Abstract

The optical properties of diamond are important in theoretical solid-state physics, geology, electronics and diamond synthesis.This review outlines some relevant aspects of theoretical physics-molecular orbital and other calculations of the properties of point defects, symmetry and group theory, zero-phonon lines and the configuration coordinate diagram.The experimentally observed spectra can conveniently be divided into infrared ( < 1 eV), which are observed in absorption and are mainly vibrational, and 'visible' (1-5.5 eV), which are vibronic and are observed in both absorption and luminescence.'Visible' spectra include those present naturally, those induced by irradiation, and those induced by irradiation plus annealing.This review covers all the important point defects observed optically in diamond, and includes some results which are not generally available. The relevance of the experimental results to the current controversy about how to calculate the properties of point defects is brought out.

Spectroscopy and micro-luminescence mapping of Xe-implanted defects in diamond

“…This factor was estimated as exp (-S) = 0.9 at T = 8 K [12], and 0.3 at 300 K [13]. This value reflects a low coupling strength as compared to several other defects in diamond [1,16,17]. In addition to the Xe center luminescence, the broad background band starting at 700 nm, a few weak lines and the second order Raman complex line at 550 nm with the sharp peak at 2667 cm -1 is seen in the spectrum as well.…”

“…The optical properties of diamond are significantly influenced by optically active defect centers. There are several hundreds of intrinsic as well as introduced optical luminescence centers in diamond which have very different spectral features like positions, band-widths, intensities, quantum efficiencies, temperature behavior, and etc., and many of the features of these centers have been described in past reviews [1,2]. In recent years a lot of attention has been paid to a few optical defect centers in diamond with high quantum efficiency and which are sufficiently photo-stable under laser excitation to successfully serve as single photon emitters at room temperatures.…”

The Legendary Dresden Green Diamond

“…The R l l is reported to be found only in type IIa diamonds (Davies, 1977); the RIO is also known as ND1 and can be created in all types of diamonds. It is not usually visible in type la diamonds because it is masked by a secondary absorption edge typical of that type (Walker, 1979).…”

Distribution of 1.68 eV emission from diamond films

“…This situation is common in diamond, as optical centers in the same spectral region have been identified with different vibronic coupling. A typical example is the case of S3, H3, e3H centers, 16 all occurring within 1 meV, but with different phonon coupling, different life time, different excitation spectra, and different temperature dependence. Also close to N3 there is a center occurring at 417 nm, in both natural and synthetic diamond, 17 that in earlier work has been assumed as a distorted N3.…”