Morphology of synthetic diamonds

With the use of the parabolic optical goniometry and atomic force microscopy, surface morphology of synthetic diamonds was studied. It is established that the outer cut of diamond crystals is formed in accordance with the theory of periodic chains of strong bonds of the Hartman-Perdok that indicates the quasiequilibrium growth mode of the diamonds. The thermal etching pits of the macro-, micro- and nanometer dimensions are morphologically studied. Two mechanisms of the etch pits appearance associated with linear defects of the crystal structure (screw dislocations) in one case, and the near-surface defects in another case, are established.