Self-glowing single crystal diamond activated with carbon-14: First synthesis and characterization

For the first time a self-glowing blue-colored single crystal diamond (weighing 0.14 g) was synthesized by method of temperature gradient at high-pressure and high-temperature (TG HPHT) using starting precursor activated with carbon-14 in the form of BaCO3. The total content of 14C in the crystal matrix is estimated 0.008 wt% or 1.8 MBq in total. The diamond emits intrinsic radioluminescence, which is visually observed in the dark. Basic properties of this diamond are discussed.