Radiation damage to Kokchetav UHPM diamonds in zircon: Variations in Raman, photoluminescence, and cathodoluminescence spectra

• We compared Raman, PL, and CL spectra of microdiamonds in tourmaline and zircon.
• The Raman peak of diamonds in zircon is downshifted and broad.
• Diamonds in zircon show PL and CL that are characteristic of irradiated diamonds.
• Radiation damage is important when genesis of diamond is discussed by spectroscopy.

We conducted detailed in-situ Raman, photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) studies on microdiamonds in a tourmaline-rich quartzofeldspathic rock from the Kokchetav Massif, Kazakhstan. The microdiamonds occur as inclusions in the cores of K-tourmaline and in zoned zircons with varying U contents. The results of 2D Raman mapping of zircon showed that the U-rich parts were more metamictized than the U-poor parts. All the diamonds showed a strong Raman band at approximately 1332 cm− 1, however, the features of the Raman bands were distinctly different depending on the host minerals. On the one hand, diamonds in tourmaline had a sharp Raman band that is similar to that of kimberlite diamonds [full width at half maximum (FWHM): 2–3 cm− 1]. On the other hand, diamonds in zircon had a broad and downshifted band compared to those in tourmaline. In particular, diamonds in U-rich cores of zircons (up to 0.15 wt.% UO2) showed broader and more downshifted Raman bands (FWHMs and peak positions varied up to 9.3 cm− 1 and 1328 cm− 1, respectively), with additional small bands at approximately 1490 cm− 1 and 1630 cm− 1. A negative correlation was observed between the peak position and the FWHM of the principal Raman band of microdiamonds. Furthermore, the PL and CL spectra showed systematic variations. Diamonds in zircons with low to moderate U-concentrations had very strong PL and CL compared to diamonds in U-rich zircons and in tourmalines. Several characteristic peaks appeared in the PL and CL spectra, indicating the presence of irradiation and/or nitrogen-related point defects in the diamonds. PL and CL of microdiamonds in high-U zircon were weak, but still showed irradiation-related peaks. The relationship between the occurrence of microdiamonds (i.e., corresponding to the estimated total α-dose since crystallization) and the Raman, PL, and CL spectral characteristics of microdiamonds strongly suggests that radiation damage predominantly caused by α-particle emission from radioactive decay of actinides (mainly U) in zircon is a principal factor for the spectral variations. Radiation damage (metamictization) is probably a common phenomenon among microdiamonds in zircons in various diamond-bearing rocks from the Kokchetav Massif. To discuss the genesis of diamonds based on their Raman, PL, or CL spectra, it is highly recommended that microdiamonds included in actinide-bearing minerals (e.g., zircon) should be treated with the most careful attention, because post-crystallization radiation damage significantly influences the spectra.