OPTICAL-EXCITATION OF PARAMAGNETIC NITROGEN IN CHEMICAL-VAPOR-DEPOSITED DIAMOND

Investigations of polycrystalline chemical vapor deposited diamond fil ms by electron-spin-resonance (ESR), light-induced (L)ESR, and the con stant photoconductivity method have identified dispersed substitutiona l nitrogen (P1 center) as the main paramagnetic form of N incorporated in the CVD diamond. The density of N-related paramagnetic states is s trongly affected by illumination and heat treatment. It is found that the P1 center in CVD diamond gives rise to a deep donor state about 1. 5 eV below the conduction band. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics .