Radiation Halos, a Rare Microstructure in Diamonds From the Central African Republic

The geochemical characterization of bulk diamonds and associated inclusions as a tool for determining provenance carries significant inherent limitations. Isotopic and trace element signatures are imparted within the mantle during diamond growth; hence, discriminating crystals from a particular region on the Earth's surface on this basis is difficult at best, and impossible (using current technologies) in many cases. In contrast, rare diamond characteristics may provide a partial solution for recognizing stones from a limited number of localities. Here we discuss an analysis of radiation halos in alluvially deposited polycrystalline diamonds (carbonados) from the Central African Republic (CAR). Large amounts of implanted Xe and Kr, as well as isotopic ratios of those elements consistent with fission, in carbonado strongly suggest that diamond crystallization took place in the presence of significant quantities of uranium [1]. Such ionizing radiation ultimately results in the loss of periodicity of the diamond structure. Crystallographically damaged areas produce fewer photons in cathodoluminescence microscopy, and therefore, the metamict regions resulting from point source radiation in diamond can be visualized on the scale of ~1-25 micrometers [2]. Because intermediate daughter products in the decay chain release alpha particles at differing energies, a ``bull's eye'' pattern is produced in 2-D by the point source radiation. Radiation haloes have been previously observed in carbonados and are thought to result from U deposition associated with fluids following diamond formation [3,4]. We have made a series of measurements of the apparent diameter of the largest circle within a damage halo. By comparing the statistical distribution of this dimension to the distribution expected for a series of circles resulting from random sectioning of mono-sized spheres, one can estimate whether the radiation resulted from one or more fluid pulses widely separated in time. Preliminary data are consistent with a single pulse of uranium deposition in CAR carbonado. [1] Ozima et al. 1991, Nature 351 : 472. [2] Mendelssohn et al. 1979, Diamond Research:35. [3] Milledge et al. 1998, 7th Intl. Kimberlite Conf: 589. [4] Magee 2001, Ph.D. ANU 247p.