Photoluminescence, optical absorption and electron spin resonance results a
re reported for diamond films homoepitaxially grown by chemical vapor depos
ition on (100)-oriented natural IIa diamond. Measured dependencies of the c
orresponding signals on the growth temperature in the range 950-2100 degree
sC suggest that, while most of nitrogen is present in our films as single a
toms, a small part (approx. 10(-3) of all nitrogen) could be incorporated a
s N-2 molecules. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.