Nitrogen determination and characterization in natural diamond platelets

The {100} platelets in natural type IaA/B diamonds have been examined by spatially resolved electron-energy-loss spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Nitrogen concentrations were determined for platelets of four different stones. The nitrogen concentration was observed to vary from diamond to diamond and to be less than required by previous nitrogen platelet models, but more than required by a pure carbon platelet model. A new model for the platelet, which agrees with the present and previous data, has been developed. Image simulations from the model are shown to correspond to HRTEM 〈110〉 images of the platelets.