US4754140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Diamond as a thermoluminescent material
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-03-19
•
Granted: 1988-06-28
•
Expires: 2006-03-19
Abstract
Abstract Diamond having a nitrogen content not exceeding 100 ppm and electrons or holes trapped at lattice imperfections within the crystal structure has been found to be a good thermoluminescent material. The diamond is produced by taking a diamond having a nitrogen content not exceeding 100 ppm and subjecting it to nuclear radiation.
Inventors
- 👤 Tom L. Nam
- 👤 Rex J. Keddy
- 👤 Robert C. Burns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:04
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K11/00; C09K11/08; C09K11/65
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
A material capable of thermoluminescence comprising diamond having a nitrogen content not exceeding 100 ppm, a boron content in an amount from 0.1 to 10 ppm, and electrons or holes tapped at lattice imperfections within the crystal structure of the diamond.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
41 words
A material capable of thermoluminescence comprising diamond having a nitrogen content not exceeding 100 ppm, a boron content in an amount from 0.1 to 10 ppm, and electrons or holes tapped at lattice imperfections within the crystal structure of the diamond.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A material according to claim 1 wherein the diamond has a nitrogen content of less than 20 ppm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A material according to claim 1 wherein the diamond is synthetic diamond.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of causing a diamond to luminesce wherein the diamond has a nitrogn content not exceeding 100 ppm and a boron content in an amount from 0.1 to 10 ppm, comprising trapping electrons or holes at lattice imperfections within the crytal structure of the diamond and then subjecting the diamond to a temperature above ambient and below 500° C.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of causing a diamond to luminesce wherein the diamond has a nitrogn content not exceeding 100 ppm and a boron content in an amount from 0.1 to 10 ppm, comprising trapping electrons or holes at lattice imperfections within the crytal structure of the diamond and then subjecting the diamond to a temperature above ambient and below 500° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the material is subjected to a temperature in the range 200° C. to 500° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the material is subjected to a temperature in the range 250° to 400° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the electrons or holes trapped at lattice imperfections within the diamond crystal structure are produced by subjecting diamond having a nitrogen content of less than 100 ppm to nuclear radiation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the nuclear radiation is radiation by X-rays, alpha particles, protons, neutrons, electrons or gamma rays.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
34 words
A device capable of measuring a dose of nuclear radiation comprising a diamond particle having a nitrogen content not exceeding 100 ppm and a boron content in the range of 0.1 to 10 ppm.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
34 words
A device capable of measuring a dose of nuclear radiation comprising a diamond particle having a nitrogen content not exceeding 100 ppm and a boron content in the range of 0.1 to 10 ppm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein the diamond has a nitrogen content of less than 20 ppm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-06-28 | 1991-12-28 | 1992-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-28 | 1995-12-28 | 1996-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-28 | 1999-12-28 | 2000-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |