The structure and properties of the {001} planar platelet were investigated by using ab initio theory. It was found that a model which was based upon a layer of self-interstitials satisfied considerations of transmission electron microscopy and infra-red absorption. The energetics of self-interstitial production during N aggregation were considered, and it was found that the growth mechanism of the platelet involved the thermally activated release of vacancies from platelets. The roles of vacant sites and platelet N were also investigated, and it was shown that these defects - embedded within the platelet - could account for the observed optical activity.

Extended Defects in Diamond - the Interstitial Platelet. J.P.Goss, B.J.Coomer, R.Jones, C.J.Fall, P.R.Briddon, S.Öberg: Physical Review B, 2003, 67[16], 165208 (15pp)