Creation and mobility of self-interstitials in diamond by use of a transmission electron microscope and their subsequent study by photoluminescence microscopy

It is demonstrated that a 300-keV transmission electron microscope is a pow erful tool for creating carefully controlled radiation damage in diamond sp ecimens. Irradiations may be performed in a few minutes over areas of diame ter 50 mu m at any chosen temperature, dose, orientation and accelerating v oltage up to the limit permitted. Subsequent annealing may be performed in- situ prior to detailed investigation by low-temperature photoluminescence m icroscopy. The results give strong evidence of the creation of self-interst itials and of the complexes that they form with impurities or dopants in th e material under study. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.