US3630679A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Diamond growth process
Assignee: Case Western Reserve University
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Filing: 1968-06-26
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1988-06-26
Abstract
Abstract There is provided an improved process for the growth of diamonds from seed crystal with a gaseous monocarbon atom compound which is characterized by extremely low pressures not in excess of 1 X 10 2 (Torr.) and at temperatures in the range of 800* to 1,450* C. Interesting products including semiconductors and colored diamond crystals may be prepared by ''''doping'''' the gas with certain materials.
Inventors
- 👤 John C Angus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:25
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B32/00; C01B32/25; C01B32/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
20 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the temperature is in the range of 1,030* to 1,250* C.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the pressure is in the range of 1 X 10 8 to 1 X 10 2 (Torr.).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the gas consists essentially of methane, dichloromethane, chloroform, or carbon tetrachloride and molecular hydrogen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the gas consists essentially of a compound of carbon selected from the group consisting of methane, dichloromethane, and carbon tetrachloride and helium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the compound of carbon is methane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the gas consists essentially of methane, dichloromethane, chloroform, or carbon tetrachloride and a doping agent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process in accordance with claim 8 in which the doping agent is an organo-aluminum compound.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process in accordance with claim 8 in which the doping agent is a compound of boron.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process in accordance with claim 10 in which the compound of boron is diborane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which the seed crystal is diamond seed crystal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A process for growing diamond which comprises contacting a seed crystal of diamond, silicon carbide or boron nitride with a gas consisting essentially of an oxygen-free compound of carbon selected from the group consisting of methane, dichloromethane, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride, which gas is free of molecular oxygen, at a temperature in the range of from 800* to 1,450* C. and a pressure not exceeding 1 X 10 2 Torr.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
121 words
A cyclic growth process performed in a single vacuum system including the steps of: a. growing diamond on seed crystals of diamond, silicon carbide or boron nitride in accordance with the process of claim 1; b. cleaning off graphite from said seed crystals by reaction with oxygen; comprising the steps of discontinuing the diamond growing step, introducing an oxygen-containing gas into the system and contacting said seed crystals with said oxygen-containing gas for a period between 0.1 to 10.00 hours at a temperature of from 800* to 1,400* C. and a pressure of from 1 X 10 3 to 1.0 Torr; c. discontinuing the oxygen cleaning step and removing O2 and H2O by evacuating the system; and d. repeating the cycle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |