Graphitization at diamond dislocation cores

We examine possible mechanisms for graphitization at dislocation cores in diamond, both as an explanation for brown coloration in natural brown diamond and as a model for annealing in amorphous carbon materials. We find a metastable structure for the 90° partial dislocation core where bonds are broken in both single- and double-period structures leading to a row of paired sp 2 C atoms. We examine the effect of hydrogen and other impurities on this core structure both through direct interaction and potential charging effects. We also investigate a mechanism for progressive aromatization through the migration and aggregation of 30° partial dislocations.