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The determination of oxygen and silicon in diamond by 14 MeV neutron activation analysis

  • Physical Methods Section
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Abstract

Techniques for the measurement of low levels of oxygen and silicon, using fast neutron activation analysis, have been developed and applied to high-quality diamonds. For oxygen, a limit of detection of approximately 5 μg has been established. Sources of error have been studied and eliminated, the ubiquitous occurrence of oxygen being the major problem. Within the accuracy of this work, the results obtained show no significant differences in the oxygen contents of diamonds of different types, or of diamonds from different sources. An oxygen content of 35±4 ppm has been established for high-quality colourless diamonds. For silicon, a limit of detection of 25 μg was established and the average silicon content of these diamonds was found to be less than 3 ppm. It is concluded that the oxygen in high-purity diamonds is present as CO2 or H2O and not in silicate inclusions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Activation Analysis Research Group, Nuclear Physics Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, (South Africa)

    D. M. Bibby & J. P. F. Sellschop

Authors
  1. D. M. Bibby
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  2. J. P. F. Sellschop
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Bibby, D.M., Sellschop, J.P.F. The determination of oxygen and silicon in diamond by 14 MeV neutron activation analysis. J. Radioanal. Chem. 22, 103–111 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02518096

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02518096

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