Hetero-Epitaxial Diamond Single Crystal Growth on Surface of cBN Single Crystals at High Pressure and High Temperature

We report a new diamond synthesis process in which cubic boron nitride single crystals are used as seeds, FesoNi20 alloy powder is used as catalyst/solvent and natural flake-like graphite is used as the carbon source. The samples are investigated using laser Raman spectra and x-ray diffraction （XRD）. Morphology of the sample is observed by a scanning electron microscope （SEM）. Based on the measurement results, we conclude that diamond single crystals have grown on the cBN crystal seeds under the conditions of high temperature 1230℃ and high pressure 4.8 GPa. This work provides an original method for synthesis of high quality hereto-semiconductor with cBN and diamond single crystals, and paves the way for future development.     

Effects of Al and Ti/Cu on Synthesis of Type-IIa Diamond Crystals in Ni70Mn25Co5-C System at HPHT

High-quality type-Ⅱa gem diamond crystals are successfully synthesized in a NiToMn25Co5-C system by temperature gradient method （TGM） at about 5.5 GPa and 1560 K. Al and Ti/Cu are used as nitrogen getters respectively. While nitrogen getter Al or Ti/Cu is added into the synthesis system, some inclusions and caves tend to be introduced into the crystals. When Al is added into the solvent alloy, we would hardly gain high-quality type-Ⅱa diamond crystals with nitrogen concentration Nc 〈 1 ppm because of the reversible reaction of Al and N at high pressure and high temperature （HPHT）. Piowever, when Ti/Cu is added into the solvent alloy, high-quality type-Ⅱa diamond crystals with Nc 〈 1 ppm can be grown by decreasing the growth rate of diamonds.     

A New Dopant of NaN3 for High-Concentration-Nitrogen Diamond Synthesized by HPHT

Nitrogen is successfully doped in diamond by adding sodium azide （NaN3 ） as the source of nitrogen to the graphite and iron powders. The diamond crystals with high nitrogen concentration, 1000-2200ppm, which contain the same concentrations of nitrogen with natural diamond, have been synthesized by using the system of iron-carbon- additive NAN3. The nitrogen concentrations in diamond increase with the increasing content of NAN3. When the content of NaN3 is increased to 0.7-1.3 wt. %, the nitrogen concentration in the diamond almost remains in a nitrogen concentration range from 1250ppm to 2200ppm, which is the highest value and several times higher than that in the diamond synthesized by a conventional method without additive NaN3 under high pressure and high temperature （HPHT） conditions.     

高温高压下纳米金刚石粉的特性研究

 研究了炸药爆轰合成的纳米金刚石粉在高温（约1 600 K）、高压（5.2 GPa）条件下的行为。将纳米金刚石粉与粉末合金（Ni₇₀Mn₂₅Co₅、100^#）混合、压制成圆片,与合金片 （Ni₇₀Mn₂₅Co₅）和人造石墨片一起交替放入高温高压合成腔体内,进行高温高压实验。实验结果表明：在高温高压条件下,纳米金刚石粉不能长大,反而石墨化了;在相同的高压和保温时间条件下,随着温度的降低,纳米金刚石粉的石墨化程度减弱,纳米金刚石粉的纳米颗粒长大,可长成0.1 mm尺寸的金刚石颗粒（温度为1 070 K左右）。而在此条件下,人造石墨不能合成金刚石,一般金刚石晶体要变成石墨相。这进一步表明,纳米金刚石颗粒表面的活性使得它可以在较低的温度下长成较大颗粒的金刚石。     

碳化钒作碳源合成金刚石

 以重量比为1∶6的VC和Ni₇₀Mn₂₅Co₅合金组成的体系，经6.0 GPa的高压力和1 500 ℃的高温处理20 min后，样品经X射线衍射分析表明VC发生分解，游离出的C生成了石墨和金刚石；该体系生成的金刚石多呈侵蚀性表面，平均粒度约为20 μm。     

HPHT Synthesis of Different Shape Coarse-Grain Diamond Single Crystals

Synthesis of coarse-grain diamond crystals is studied in a China-type SPD6× 1670T cubic high-pressure apparatus with high exact control system. To synthesize high quality coarse-grain diamond crystals, advanced indirect heat assembly, powder catalyst technology and optimized synthesis craft are used. At last, three kinds of coarse- grain diamond （about 0.85 mm） single crystals with hexahedron, hex-octahedron and octahedron are synthesized successfully under HPHT （about 5.4 GPa, 1300-1450℃）. The growth characters of different shape crystals are discussed. The results and techniques might be useful for the production of coarse-grain diamonds.     

A relation between a metallic film covering on diamond formed during growth and nanosized inclusions in HPHT as-grown diamond single crystals

One of the most important characteristics and basic phenomena during diamond growth from liquid metal catalyst solutions saturated with carbon at high temperature–high pressure (HPHT) is that there exists a thin metallic film covering on the growing diamond, through which carbon-atom clusters are delivered to the surface of the growing diamond by diffusion. A study of microstructures of such a metallic film and a relation between the thin metallic film and the inclusions trapped in HPHT as-grown diamond single crystals may be helpful to obtain high-purity diamond single crystals. It was found that both the metallic film and the HPHT as-grown diamond single crystals contain some nanostructured regions. Examination by transmission electron microscopy suggests that the microstructure of the thin metallic film is in accordance with nanosized particles contained in HPHT as-grown diamond single crystals. The nanosized particles with several to several tens of nanometers in dimension distribute homogeneously in the metallic film and in the diamond matrix. Generally, the size of the particles in the thin metallic film is relatively larger than that within the diamond matrix. Selected area electron diffraction patterns suggest that the nanosized particles in the metallic film and nanometer inclusions within the diamond are mainly composed of f.c.c. (FeNi)₂₃C₆, hexagonal graphite and cubic γ-(FeNi). The formation of the nanosized inclusions within the diamond single crystals is thought not only to relate to the growth process and rapid quenching from high temperature after diamond synthesis, but also to be associated with large amounts of defects in the diamond, because the free energy in these defect areas is very high. The critical size of carbide, γ-(FeNi)and graphite particles within the diamond matrix should decrease and not increase according to thermodynamic theory during quenching from HPHT to room temperature and ambient pressure. Received: 13 September 2001 / Accepted: 12 June 2002 / Published online: 17 December 2002 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +86-0531/295-5081; E-mail: yinlw@sdu.edu.cn     

Early stages of laser graphitization of diamond

A mechanism for photographitization of a free diamond surface is proposed. The quantum-kinetic rate of this process is determined. The graphitization rate is close to zero if the activation energy of the graphitization process is taken as being equal to the binding energy of a carbon atom with the surface (i.e. equal to the sublimation energy of a carbon atom). On the contrary, if the activation energy is close to the energy of C–C bonds, the graphitization process may occur at a noticeable rate and be observed under ‘relatively smooth’ experimental conditions. The temperature rise leads to a considerable increase in the graphitization rates. Preliminary experimental data on the low-rate laser ablation of diamond are presented to support the proposed model of photographitization. An early stage of laser-induced graphitization in the bulk of diamond is also considered. It is found that the nucleation of a ‘tiny graphite drop’ is possible in the bulk of the diamond inside the focal area of a laser beam; the ‘graphite drop’ growth causing the appearance of mechanical stresses in the surrounding regions. The maximum size of the graphite drop is determined, which, when exceeded, leads to mechanical damage of the sample and to a change in the mechanism of laser graphitization. An evident mechanical criterion for laser-induced damage of diamond is proposed. Received: 2 October 2002 / Accepted: 5 October 2002 / Published online: 29 January 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. E-mail: stvn@stankin.ru     

用过剩压法生长金刚石过程石墨再结晶现象的研究

 描述了在过剩压驱动下金刚石晶种外延生过程中，大量伴生的石墨再结晶现象。再结晶石墨抑制了金刚石的自发成核；它们分布于合成腔触媒金属的低温区，结晶数量多，晶粒片状分层，尺寸大，但出现乱层晶体结构；同时产生一定数量的无定形碳。分析认为，这与长时间的低过剩压驱动，触媒金属内有足够的碳源供给，并具备在高温高压下石墨充分结晶但又达不到完全石墨化条件有关。还讨论了在低过剩压驱动下，促进金刚石晶体外延生长的碳源可能是活化的碳原子，而不是具有乱层结构特征的再结晶石墨。     

Characterization of a growth-front interface in a HPHT-grown diamond crystal by transmission electron microscopy

The growth-front interface of a diamond single crystal, which was grown from the Fe-Ni-C system under high pressure and high temperature (HPHT), has been directly observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for the first time. The presence of a cellular interface suggests that the diamond is grown from solution and there exists a narrow supercooling zone in front of the solid–liquid interface. Diamond-growth parallel layers were also found, which indicates that the diamond grows from solution layer by layer. It provides direct evidence that the diamond is synthesized through graphite dissolution and transformation to subcritical diamond particles in a molten catalyst, diamond subcritical particle connection to form diamond clusters, diffusion of the diamond clusters to the growing diamond, and unification of the diamond clusters on the growing diamond crystal. Received: 17 July 2000 / Accepted: 27 October 2000 / Published online: 10 January 2001     

D-D结合型金刚石聚晶的高压合成研究

 为了探索功能金刚石聚晶的高压合成，使其具有优异的透红外和散热性能，我们采取了提高合成压力、温度和尽量减少结合剂的办法进行试验。首先探索如何使合成的金刚石聚晶具有D-D型结合，然后尽量减少结合剂，以合成出高密度的D-D型金刚石聚晶。为了尽量减少结合剂含量，不用粉末混合法，而是分别采用7~14 μm和63~80 μm粒度的金刚石为原料，与纯Ni或Ni₇₀Mn₂₅Co₅合金为基底积层组装，通过高温高压下触媒金属向金刚石晶粒间渗透进行烧结生长。在6.3 GPa的压力和1 440~1 650 ℃的不同温度下分别保持3~40 min。所得到的金刚石聚晶在触媒金属渗透得充分的区域形成了D-D结合型结构，而没有发现碳化物生成及金刚石表面石墨化等现象。     

Atom force microscopy study on HTHP as-grown diamond single crystals

For understanding the mechanism of diamond growth at high temperature–high pressure (HTHP) from a metallic catalyst–graphite system, it is of great interest to perform atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments, which provide a unique technique different from that of normal optical and electronic microscopy studies, to study the topography of HTHP as-grown diamond single crystals. In the present paper, we report first AFM results on diamond single crystals grown from a Fe-Ni-C system at HTHP to reveal the growth mechanism of diamond single crystals at HTHP. AFM images for as-grown diamond samples show dark etch pits on the (111) surface, indicating dislocations. Some fine particles about 100–300 nm in dimension were directly observed on the (100) diamond surface. These particles are believed to have been formed through transition of graphite to diamond under the effect of the catalyst and to have been transported to the growing diamond surface through a metallic thin film by diffusion. The roughness of the (100) diamond surface is found to be about several tens of nanometers through profile analysis. The diamond growth at HTHP, in a sense, could be considered as a process of unification of these fine diamond particles or of carbon-atom-cluster recombination on the growing diamond crystal surface. Successive growth interlayer steps on the (111) diamond surface were systemically examined. The heights of the growth interlayer steps were measured by sectional analysis. It was shown that the heights of the growth interlayer steps are quite different and range from about 10 to 25 nm. The source of the interlayer steps might be dislocations. The diamond-growth mechanism at HTHP could be indicated by the AFM topography of the fine diamond particles and the train-growth interlayer steps on the as-grown diamond surfaces. Received: 29 March 2001 / Accepted: 20 August 2001 / Published online: 2 October 2001     

合成金刚石与合成体系之关系

 通过各种材料的试验和压机设备因素的测定，总结了金刚石生长过程的特性：金刚石晶体是在石墨（G）-触媒（Me）界面上生长；因电阻R_(G)>R_(Me)、温度T_(G)>T_(Me)以及与外界热交换等原因，使合成腔内产生压力、温度梯度，成为金刚石生长之驱动力。梯度过大过小对金刚石生长均不利；金刚石晶体在G-Me界面两侧是非对称性生长；每个晶粒表面有一特殊结构约20 μm左右厚的金属薄膜，它起到运载碳源和催化的双重作用。要合成粗粒高强金刚石，需要有一个稳定的合成体系。本文分析了该体系状态的性质及稳定的必要性与稳定的具体方法。     

两种典型升压程序的金刚石成核特性

 在1 573~1 663 K之间再结晶石墨抑制金刚石成核的压力范围大约为0.4 GPa。抑制成核的压力与再结晶石墨形成的时间有关。样品的X光衍射结果还表明，随着抑制成核的压力升高，再结晶石墨的d₀₀₂减小。     

A new study on the catalytic mechanism of Fe-based alloys in diamond formation by Mössbauer spectroscopy

M?ssbauer spectroscopy has been used to systemically study the catalytic mechanism of Fe-based alloys in diamond formation at high temperature–high pressure (HTHP) for the first time. M?ssbauer spectra reveal the magnetic state of the 3d electrons of a Fe atom in the Fe-based alloy catalyst during diamond formation at HTHP. During carburization at lower temperatures than that required for diamond formation and diamond formation in the diamond-stability region using Fe-based alloys as a catalyst, both the quadrupole splitting QS and the isomer shift IS change from negative to positive, especially reaching a state in which they are zero. It was indicated that the state of the 3d-shell electrons of the iron atom changes greatly during carburization and diamond formation and that the incomplete 3d sub-bands of Fe atoms in the catalyst alloys could be filled up in proper order by electrons of interstitial carbon atoms. During diamond formation, the unpaired 3d-shell electrons of an iron atom in the Fe-based alloy absorb and interact with 2P_z electrons of the carbon atoms. There exist a Fe–C bonding and an electron charge transfer stage. The 2P_z electrons of the carbon atoms could be dragged into the metal atoms in the catalyst alloy and would make a transition of triangular (sp²π) hybridization of valence electrons to tetrahedral (sp³) hybridization of valence electrons (a transition of sp²π bonds of graphite to sp³ bonds of diamond), resulting in a transition of graphite structure to diamond. Although the conclusion of this study is strictly applicable only to Fe-based alloy catalysts, it could be considered more general because of the chemical similarities between the transition elements used as solvent catalysts for diamond synthesis. Received: 2 March 2001 / Accepted: 20 August 2001 / Published online: 2 October 2001     

合成腔体尺寸对Ib型六面体金刚石单晶生长的影响

利用液压缸直径为550 mm的大缸径六面顶压机, 在5.6 GPa, 1200-1400 ℃的高压高温条件下, 分别采用单晶种法和多晶种法, 开展了Ib型六面体宝石级金刚石单晶的生长研究, 系统考察了合成腔体尺寸对Ib型六面体金刚石大单晶生长的影响. 首先, 阐述了合成腔体尺寸对合成设备油压传递效率的影响, 研究得到了设备油压与腔体内实际压力的关系曲线; 其次, 选择尺寸为Φ 14 mm的合成腔体, 分别采用单晶种法和多晶种法(5颗晶种), 进行Ib型六面体金刚石大单晶的生长实验, 研究阐述了Φ 14 mm合成腔体的晶体生长实验规律; 再次, 为了解决液压缸直径与合成腔体尺寸不匹配的问题, 将合成腔体尺寸扩大到26 mm, 并开展了多晶种法六面体金刚石大单晶的生长研究, 最多单次生长出14 颗优质3 mm级Ib型六面体金刚石单晶, 研究得到了Φ 26 mm合成腔体生长3 mm级Ib型六面体金刚石单晶的实验规律, 并就两种腔体合成金刚石单晶的总体生长速度与生长时间的关系进行了讨论; 最后, 借助于拉曼光谱, 将合成的优质六面体金刚石单晶与天然金刚石单晶进行对比测试, 对所合成晶体的结构及品质进行了表征.     

从碳化硅和铁体系合成金刚石

 为了探明从SiC生成金刚石这一过程中触媒作用的机理，有必要调查SiC加不同金属在高压高温下的行为。在本工作中，以16重量比混合的SiC和铁粉经5.4~6.0 GPa的高压力和1 300~1 500 ℃的高温处理20 min后，样品的X射线衍射分析表明：所有实验条件下SiC都发生了分解，并分别生成了Fe₃Si和Fe₃C；温度越高，SiC分解得越彻底，在温度高于1 375 ℃的样品中，伴随Fe₃C减少，有金刚石和石墨明显析出。扫描电镜观察表明：6.0 GPa、1 500 ℃下所得的金刚石晶体具有完整的八面体晶形，平均粒度约50 μm。     

Transformation of Carbon Nanotubes to Diamond at High Pressure and High Temperature

The synthesis of diamond at high pressure and high temperature and the discovery of fullerenes and carbon nanotubes are among the most important achievements in carbon science. In the present work, we report the synthesis of diamond from carbon nanotubes at 4.5 GPa and 1300°C. Under these conditions, no diamond crystals were obtained when graphite was used as the starting material. The detailed investigation shows that at high pressure and high temperature carbon nanotubes first transform into quasi-spherical onion-like structures and then into diamond crystals. Our work suggests that carbon nanotubes can be used for the synthesis of high-quality diamond crystals at lower pressure and temperature.     

Undercooling and Unidirectional Solidification of CuNi Alloy Melts

Cylinder-shaped CusoNi20 alloy melt is undercooled and solidified by the combination of the electromagnetic levitation technique and the flux treatment method. Nearly constant temperature gradient of 8-10 K/cm is realized for the cylindrical melts with differen~ undercooling levels at the bottom ends. The experimental results reveal that with the increase of the undercoo]ing of the melts from 35 to 220 K, the microstructures undergo transition from coarse dendrites to granular grains, unidirectional dendrites, and finally to equiaxed grains.     

高温高压条件下石墨的再结晶与金刚石单晶的生长

 用电子显微镜观察到了在高温高压条件下再结晶石墨的形状随温度变化而改变的规律。实验表明：从石墨向金刚石的转变，与石墨在催化剂——溶剂合金中的再结晶状态有关，类球形再结晶石墨是转变成金刚石小单元的基础。金刚石晶体的不同形态及其多样化的表面结构表明金刚石单晶的生长具有比较复杂的过程。研究了具有一定规则形状由类球形再结晶石墨晶粒组成的聚合体，这种聚合体将在适当温度压力下转变成金刚石颗粒。本研究给出了生长粗颗粒、晶形完整的金刚石单晶的原则办法。