Reciprocal-space mapping of synthetic and natural diamond

High-resolution reciprocal-space maps of synthetic and natural diamonds hav e been recorded for the first time an the new six-circle diffractometer at the Synchrotron Radiation Source of the Daresbury Laboratory, UK. Variation s in lattice spacing (typically 10 ppm) have been measured within specific growth sectors of synthetic diamonds as well as lattice tilts (typically 1 arcmin). Similar measurements have been made on diamonds containing strain- producing metallic inclusions. Platelet radii in a natural diamond have als o been estimated, giving results (such as 140 Angstrom) agreeing with measu rements from other techniques.