DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GROWING DIAMOND IN A LIQUID PHASE
First Claim
1. A method of growing diamond, comprising:
- a) growing at least one diamond mass from a diamond seed material in a liquid growth medium of a carbon source, a diamond growth catalyst, and a dissociated hydrogen of a hydrogen source, said growing occurring within a temperature profile for a time sufficient to allow three dimensional growth of the diamond mass from the carbon source, said liquid growth medium including a molten liquid phase which is a continuous phase having the hydrogen source dispersed therein under a low pressure; and
b) removing the diamond mass either from the molten liquid phase or from a solidified mass formed from cooling the molten liquid phase.
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Abstract
A method of growing a diamond mass in a liquid growth medium. The liquid growth medium can include a carbon source, a diamond growth catalyst such as a diamond catalyst metal-rare earth element alloy or nanocatalyst, and a dissociated hydrogen of a hydrogen source. The carbon source provides carbon atoms for growing diamond and can include a diamond seed material for diamond growth. The molten liquid phase provides a diamond growth catalyst which allows the carbon to form diamond at the temperature and low pressure conditions discussed. Furthermore, the dissociated hydrogen acts as a concentrator for assembling carbon atoms at a relatively high concentration which mimicks, in some respects, diamond growth under more conventional high pressure processes without the high pressure.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of growing diamond, comprising:
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a) growing at least one diamond mass from a diamond seed material in a liquid growth medium of a carbon source, a diamond growth catalyst, and a dissociated hydrogen of a hydrogen source, said growing occurring within a temperature profile for a time sufficient to allow three dimensional growth of the diamond mass from the carbon source, said liquid growth medium including a molten liquid phase which is a continuous phase having the hydrogen source dispersed therein under a low pressure; and b) removing the diamond mass either from the molten liquid phase or from a solidified mass formed from cooling the molten liquid phase. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A diamond growth apparatus, comprising:
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a) a substantially enclosed furnace including an inlet and an outlet; b) a heating mechanism thermally associated with the furnace; c) a porous ceramic oriented in the inlet to allow hydrogen gas into the furnace and prevent egress of molten liquid from the furnace; and d) a hydrogen source fluidly connected to the inlet.
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Specification