http://arxiv.org/abs/1502.08031
Photoluminescence spectra show that silicon impurity is present in lattice of some nanodiamond grains (ND) of various chondrites as a silicon-vacancy (SiV) defect. The relative intensity of the SiV band in the diamond-rich separates depends on chemical composition of meteorites and on size of ND grains. The strongest signal is found for the size separates enriched in small grains; thus confirming our earlier conclusion that the SiV defects preferentially reside in the smallest (less than 2 nm) grains. The difference in relative intensities of the SiV luminescence in the diamond-rich separates of individual meteorites are due to variable conditions of thermal metamorphism of their parent bodies and/or uneven sampling of nanodiamonds populations. Annealing of separates in air eliminates surface sp2-carbon, consequently, the SiV luminescence is enhanced. Strong and well-defined luminescence and absorption of the SiV defect is a promising feature to locate cold (< 250 {\deg}C) nanodiamonds in space.
A. Shiryaev, A. Fisenko, L. Semjonova, et. al.
Mon, 2 Mar 15
38/39
Comments: Accepted by Meteoritics and Planetary Science. 19 pages, 4 figures