Reciprocal-space mapping of synthetic and natural diamond

High-resolution reciprocal-space maps of synthetic and natural diamonds have been recorded for the first time an the new six-circle diffractometer at the Synchrotron Radiation Source of the Daresbury Laboratory, UK. Variations 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 also been estimated, giving results (such as 140 Angstrom) agreeing with measurements from other techniques.