Study of laser modification of synthetic diamond powder
Project Status: 3 Approved without Funding
Duration in months: 36 months
Objective
It is proposed to study the process of modification of a synthetic diamond powder by laser radiation on the basis of electro physical equipment of YerPhI. The cost of the industrial diamond powder strongly depends on the size of the crystals, the homogeneity of the crystal size of the powder, the content of impurities, etc. [7-11].
Of great importance is the percentage of monocrystals in powder. In low-class powders large percent is made by different conglomerates (aggregations, druses, splices, etc.). In recent years, the possibility of obtaining synthetic diamond by laser radiation [1] and preliminary studies on the improvement of the quality of synthetic diamond powder [12] by treatment with laser radiation has been studied in YerPhI.
The synthetic diamond powder with grit of 160/200 and share of monocrystals of 20% was chosen as the object of the preliminary study. After the processing the powder by laser radiation in a pulse-periodic mode, all conglomerates disintegrated into monocrystals and cleansed of carbon buildup. The result of the preliminary study was patented in the Republic of Armenia [6]. Since the study was carried out for the same type of diamond powder with a laser and with given parameters, these results may not be the most optimal and applicable to all types of diamond powders. Therefore, it is advisable to carry out a more detailed study of the process of radiation action on the different types of diamond powders. Accordingly, the following activities will be performed:
· Investigation of the dependence of quality and quantity of the modified powder on the temporal structure of the laser radiation (repetition rate and duration of pulses in the periodic pulse laser).
· Investigation of the dependence of quality and quantity of the modified powder on the pulse and average power of the laser radiation
· Investigation of the dependence of quality and quantity of the modified powder on the temperature.
· Research and development of optimal technological regimes to improve the quality of various types of synthetic diamond powders.
· Technical and economic calculations and study of the feasibility of implementing this technology in manufacture.
If during the production cycle of synthetic diamond powder before powder sieving it is possible to make a powder laser radiation processing, the increase of final product quality can be obtained by destroying conglomerates to monocrystals.
Specialists with large experience in the area of accelerators and laser physics and technics, and experience in the methodology of physical experiment on the interaction of different types of radiation with matter will be involved to planned works.
Proposed project is consistent with the status of ISTC and caused by the necessity of reorientation the scientists and engineers engaged earlier (1978-1990 years) in the development of weapons on the peaceful activities.
Participating Institutions
LEADING
A.I. Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory (Yerevan Physics Institute) (YerPhi)
