In this paper an overview on the spectroscopic and spectral hole-burning pr
operties of radiation-induced spectral lines in nitrogen-containing diamond
s is given. Special attention has been paid to the defects with the 774 and
813 nm zero-phonon lines that are suitable for room temperature spectral h
ole burning. The temperature dependence of the widths of the homogeneous li
nes is carefully examined. Persistent spectral hole burning in these lines
is demonstrated at T = 100, 200 and 300 K. The creation of these colour cen
tres dependent on irradiation and annealing parameters in different types o
f diamonds is investigated. Assumptions about the nitrogen content of the c
entres are made on the basis of these investigations. The possibility of pr
oducing the 774 and 813 nm centres in synthetic diamonds is shown and the o
ptimal parameters are given.