X-ray Excited Optical Luminescence of Eu in Diamond Crystals Synthesized at High Pressure High Temperature

Powder diamonds with integrated europium atoms were synthesized at high pressure (7.7 GPa) and temperature (1800 degrees C) from a mixture of pentaerythritol with pyrolyzate of diphthalocyanine (C64H32N16Eu) being a special precursor. In diamonds prepared by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, we have found a concentration of Eu atoms of 51 +/- 5 ppm that is by two orders of magnitude greater than that in natural and synthetic diamonds. X-ray diffraction, SEM, X-ray exited optical luminescence, and Raman and IR spectroscopy have confirmed the formation of high-quality diamond monocrystals containing Eu and a substantial amount of nitrogen (similar to 500 ppm). Numerical simulation has allowed us to determine the energy cost of 5.8 eV needed for the incorporation of a single Eu atom with adjacent vacancy into growing diamond crystal (528 carbons).

Automated summary

Powder diamonds with integrated europium atoms were synthesized at high pressure and temperature. The concentration of Eu atoms in these diamonds was found to be two orders of magnitude higher than in natural and synthetic diamonds. The formation of high-quality diamond monocrystals containing Eu and a substantial amount of nitrogen was confirmed through various techniques.