Fluorine-based color centers in diamond

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the creation of fluorine-related color centers in diamond through ion implantation and thermal annealing, revealing their unique luminescence properties at various temperatures and conditions.

Contribution

It introduces a new method to generate and characterize fluorine-based color centers in diamond, expanding the understanding of F-related luminescent defects.

Findings

F-related centers emit at 558 nm and 600-750 nm

Emission intensity correlates with F implantation fluence

Distinct spectral features are exclusive to F-implanted samples

Abstract

We report on the creation and characterization of the luminescence properties of high-purity diamond substrates upon F ion implantation and subsequent thermal annealing. Their room-temperature photoluminescence emission consists of a weak emission line at 558 nm and of intense bands in the 600 - 750 nm spectral range. Characterization at liquid He temperature reveals the presence of a structured set of lines in the 600 - 670 nm spectral range. We discuss the dependence of the emission properties of F-related optical centers on different experimental parameters such as the operating temperature and the excitation wavelength. The correlation of the emission intensity with F implantation fluence, and the exclusive observation of the afore-mentioned spectral features in F-implanted and annealed samples provides a strong indication that the observed emission features are related to a stable F-containing defective complex in the diamond lattice.