| abstract |
Improvements are provided in reaction vessel construction used in the growth of diamond by the process disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,407 - Wentorf, Jr. In assembly of the reaction vessel of this invention, the plug of catalyst-solvent material is disposed between the source of carbon and the diamond seed material as in the Wentorf, Jr. patent and, in addition, the diamond seed material is separated from the catalyst-solvent plug by means for isolating the diamond seed material from the catalyst-solvent material until after the latter has become saturated with carbon from the source of carbon. In addition, preferably the under surface of the plug of catalyst-solvent metal is covered with means for suppressing diamond nucleation. The nucleation suppressing means is usually in the form of a disc and may completely cover the underside of the catalyst-solvent plug or may have a hole therethrough in juxtaposition to the diamond seed/isolating means combination(s). When both the isolating means and the nucleation suppressing means are employed, capability is provided for simultaneously preventing dissolution of the diamond seed and suppressing spurious diamond nucleation. |