Title
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Nitrogen and luminescent nitrogen-vacancy defects in detonation nanodiamond
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Author
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Abstract
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An efficient method to investigate the microstructure and spatial distribution of nitrogen and nitrogen-vacancy (N-V) defects in detonation nanodiamond (DND) with primary particle sizes ranging from approximately 3 to 50 nm is presented. Detailed analysis reveals atomic nitrogen concentrations as high as 3 at% in 50% of diamond primary particles with sizes smaller than 6 nm. A non-uniform distribution of nitrogen within larger primary DND particles is also presented, indicating a preference for location within the defective central part or at twin boundaries. A photoluminescence (PL) spectrum with well-pronounced zero-phonon lines related to the N-V centers is demonstrated for the first time for electron-irradiated and annealed DND particles at continuous laser excitation. Combined Raman and PL analysis of DND crystallites dispersed on a Si substrate leads to the conclusion that the observed N-V luminescence originates from primary particles with sizes exceeding 30 nm. These findings demonstrate that by manipulation of the size/nitrogen content in DND there are prospects for mass production of nanodiamond photoemitters based on bright and stable luminescence from nitrogen-related defects. |
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Language
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English
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Source (journal)
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Small. - Weinheim
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Publication
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Weinheim
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2010
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ISSN
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1613-6810
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Volume/pages
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6
:5
(2010)
, p. 687-694
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ISI
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000275972400013
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Full text (Publisher's DOI)
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