AU1774399A - Diamond or gemstone marking by plurality of grooves - Google Patents
Diamond or gemstone marking by plurality of grooves Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU1774399A AU1774399A AU17743/99A AU1774399A AU1774399A AU 1774399 A AU1774399 A AU 1774399A AU 17743/99 A AU17743/99 A AU 17743/99A AU 1774399 A AU1774399 A AU 1774399A AU 1774399 A AU1774399 A AU 1774399A
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- diamond
- mark
- gemstone
- grooves
- ion beam
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000010432 diamond Substances 0.000 title claims description 70
- 229910003460 diamond Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims description 69
- 239000010437 gem Substances 0.000 title claims description 40
- 229910001751 gemstone Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims description 40
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 51
- 238000010884 ion-beam technique Methods 0.000 claims description 30
- FGIUAXJPYTZDNR-UHFFFAOYSA-N potassium nitrate Chemical compound [K+].[O-][N+]([O-])=O FGIUAXJPYTZDNR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 20
- 239000007800 oxidant agent Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 claims description 11
- 235000010333 potassium nitrate Nutrition 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000004323 potassium nitrate Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000001678 irradiating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 150000001450 anions Chemical class 0.000 claims description 5
- 150000001768 cations Chemical class 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910002651 NO3 Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 4
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- -1 Gallium ions Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 125000004432 carbon atom Chemical group C* 0.000 description 2
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052733 gallium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N gold Chemical compound [Au] PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000010931 gold Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052737 gold Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910002804 graphite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000010439 graphite Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000873 masking effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004544 sputter deposition Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004575 stone Substances 0.000 description 2
- GYHNNYVSQQEPJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Gallium Chemical compound [Ga] GYHNNYVSQQEPJS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052783 alkali metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013070 direct material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005530 etching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003517 fume Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001020 plasma etching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N tungsten Chemical compound [W] WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052721 tungsten Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010937 tungsten Substances 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000005491 wire drawing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
- B44B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR TOOLS FOR ARTISTIC WORK, e.g. FOR SCULPTURING, GUILLOCHING, CARVING, BRANDING, INLAYING
- B44B7/00—Machines, apparatus or hand tools for branding, e.g. using radiant energy such as laser beams
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
- B44B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR TOOLS FOR ARTISTIC WORK, e.g. FOR SCULPTURING, GUILLOCHING, CARVING, BRANDING, INLAYING
- B44B3/00—Artist's machines or apparatus equipped with tools or work holders moving or able to be controlled substantially two- dimensionally for carving, engraving, or guilloching shallow ornamenting or markings
- B44B3/04—Artist's machines or apparatus equipped with tools or work holders moving or able to be controlled substantially two- dimensionally for carving, engraving, or guilloching shallow ornamenting or markings wherein non-plane surfaces are worked
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
- B44B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR TOOLS FOR ARTISTIC WORK, e.g. FOR SCULPTURING, GUILLOCHING, CARVING, BRANDING, INLAYING
- B44B2700/00—Machines, apparatus, tools or accessories for artistic work
- B44B2700/08—Machines, apparatus or hand tools for branding
Landscapes
- Adornments (AREA)
- Crystals, And After-Treatments Of Crystals (AREA)
- Investigating Materials By The Use Of Optical Means Adapted For Particular Applications (AREA)
- Welding Or Cutting Using Electron Beams (AREA)
Description
WO 99/33671 PCT/GB98/03889 1 DIAMOND OR GEMSTONE MARKING BY PLURALITY OF GROOVES Background to the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for marking a surface of a diamond or other gemstone. The mark may be any mark, but the invention is particularly but not exclusively directed to applying an information mark to the diamond. The diamond may be, for instance, an industrial diamond such as a wire drawing die, though the invention is of particular interest in marking gemstone diamonds, and especially for applying a mark which is invisible to the naked eye or invisible to the eye using a x10 loupe (which is the loupe used by jewellers), when the mark can be applied to a polished facet of the gemstone without detracting from its clarity grade. The marks can be used to uniquely identify the gemstone by a serial number or as a brand or quality mark, but it should not detract from the value or appearance of the stone, and should preferably not exhibit blackening. There is a detailed description of the nature of the marks that can be applied in WO-97/03846, in which the marks are applied by irradiating a diamond gemstone with ultraviolet laser radiation using a projection mask. It is generally desirable to produce marks of improved resolution and visibility when viewed using appropriate magnification and illumination conditions, the marks being such that they do not detract from the value and appearance of the diamond or other gemstone.
WO 99/33671 PCT/GB98/03889 2 The Invention In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a mark on the surface of a diamond or gemstone, the mark consisting of one or more alphanumeric characters or the like, comprising the step of forming a plurality of grooves on the surface of the diamond or gemstone, the mark being such that it cannot be read by the naked eye, the grooves producing a visible diffraction effect under certain predetermined lighting conditions, such that the mark can be read under certain predetermined magnification conditions. Also in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for performing the above-mentioned method. The present invention further extends to a diamond or gemstone which has been marked by the above-mentioned method. In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a mark on the surface of a diamond or gemstone, comprising the step of forming a plurality of grooves on the surface of the diamond, said grooves producing a visible diffraction effect under certain predetermined illumination conditions without detrimentally affecting the clarity grade of the diamond or gemstone. Also in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for performing the above-mentioned method. The present invention further extends to a diamond or gemstone which has been marked by the above-mentioned method. The greater the depth of the grooves, the more visible the mark will be when viewed. The grooves should be of a suitable depth so that the mark is highly visible under appropriate viewing conditions, but not so deep that the clarity grade of the diamond or other gemstone is detrimentally affected. In one preferred embodiment, each groove is WO 99/33671 PCT/GB98/03889 3 not less than about 10 nm deep and/or not more than about 50 nm deep with no evidence of blackening. A specific example would be around 30 nm. The grooves may be in the form of parallel lines, or even a plurality of intersecting grooves forming cross-hatched pattern, depending on the effect desired. Although the marking can be carried out using any suitable means, e.g. etching with an excimer laser or plasma etching, marking is preferably carried out using an ion beam, and most preferably by direct writing on the diamond surface with a focused ion beam. By limiting the dose, sputtering of carbon atoms can be avoided, sputtering causing direct material removal; this enables a mark to be applied with a controlled depth and good resolution. Typically Gallium ions are used, but a beam of other suitable ions may alternatively be used. It is thought that each incident ion displaces a number of carbon atoms from their sites to create interstitials and vacancies in the diamond crystal. As the amount of damage (crystal lattice disorder) increases there is a tendency for the diamond sp bonds to be replaced by the graphite like sp 2 bonds. These bonds can be attacked by a chemical etch to remove the disordered layer. By limiting the dose, and providing there is sufficient dose, the incident ions cause disordering that converts the diamond to a graphite-like or other non-diamond structure that can be cleaned using, for example, a powerful oxidizing agent, such as molten potassium nitrate, at a temperature of approximately 380-550 Centigrade for a period of between a few minutes and several hours. The use of potassium nitrate has been found to be more effective in removing disordered diamond than other known processes, thus allowing a mark of a given depth to be produced with a relatively low dose of ions. Other suitable oxidising agents may be molten compounds such as alkali metal salts; compounds in the form XnYm where the group X may be Li+, Na , K+, Rb*, Cs or WO 99/33671 PCT/GB98/03889 4 other cation, and the group Y may be O-, NO3, 022, 02, CO 3 2 or other anion, the integers n and m being used to maintain charge balance. Mixtures of such compounds may be used. Air or other oxygen-containing gases may also be present. As an alternative, the disordered layer of the diamond can be removed using an acid or potassium nitrate dissolved in acid. However, the use of, for example, molten potassium nitrate eliminates acid fumes. Furthermore, the need to dispose of spent acid is eliminated, thereby offering safety, environmental and economic benefits. It is required to minimise the depth of disordering inflicted by the ion beam on the surface of the diamond. The depth of disordering is determined by the range of ions. For 50 keV Gallium, this range is about 30 nm. The minimum dose may be around 1013 / cm 2 and is preferably about 1014 /cm 2 to 1015/cm2, but good marks can be applied with a fairly modest dose, the preferred maximum dose being about 10 1 6 /cm 2 or even up to about 1017/cm2. However, the dose depends upon the ions being used and their energy (as measured in keV). The ion beam dose is a total number of incident ions per unit area at the sample surface, during the marking. The beam current may be about 0.5 nA, and the beam energy not less than about 10 keV or about 30 keV and/or not greater than about 100 keV or about 50 keV. It has been found that if depth of mark is plotted against ion beam dose for a series of different beam energies, there is an increase of depth of mark with increasing beam energy. Characteristics of the mark may be optimised by selecting from the dose/energy combinations which will result in the desired depth of mark. The region to be marked and/or the surrounding area may be coated with an electrically conducting layer, for instance gold, prior to forming the mark, so that an electrical connection can be provided before marking with an ion beam, to prevent charging. The thickness of the gold, or other coating alters the variation of depth of the mark with beam energy and may thus be chosen to optimise the mark produced. However, it is preferred to irradiate the region to be marked with a low energy source of electrons WO 99/33671 PCT/GB98/03889 5 (e.g. around 1-100eV) from, for example, an electron flood gun, during the marking process to prevent charging. If a focused ion beam is used to form the plurality of grooves, the accuracy of the method is such that no masking is required: the ion beam is applied directly to the surface of the diamond at the positions where the grooves are required to be formed. However, if other, less accurate methods of forming the grooves are to be used, then it may be necessary to mask the areas between the grooved areas to avoid marking them. In accordance with the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for viewing a mark formed on a diamond using the method of the first or second aspect of the present invention, the apparatus comprising illumination means for illuminating the mark with directional light at an angle which corresponds to the diffraction angle of light of a predetermined wavelength or band of wavelengths, viewing means for viewing said mark, and magnification means for magnifying the viewed image of said mark. The invention also extends to a method of viewing the mark corresponding to the apparatus defined above. The mark is preferably viewed against a dark background, ie. it is preferred that the illuminating light is substantially prevented from reflecting through the stone and appearing directly behind or close to the mark. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that, in order to achieve this, the angle and direction from which the illuminating light is supplied (and hence the orientation and spacing of the lines) must be chosen so as to ensure that no light can follow the undesired path. The typical range of magnification required to view the mark is x10 to x50. The distance between the plurality of grooves and the angle of the directional light determines the colour which the mark will appear when viewed. In general, for a diffraction grating: WO 99/33671 PCT/GB98/03889 6 d.sinO = -_n., where d is the distance between each groove, 6 is the angle of the incident light, X is the wavelength of the diffracted light and n is an integer. Preferably n=1. Thus, when a mark has been formed on a diamond, d and n are fixed, and the wavelength of diffracted light, i.e. the colour which the mark will appear when viewed, can be varied by varying the angle of incident light. Thus, if it is desired that the mark appears blue when viewed, then the angle of the incident light, i.e. 6, is set so that % is around 450nm, using the above equation. Similarly, if the mark is to appear red, then 0 is set so that X is around 620nm. In one embodiment of the apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, the illuminating means may comprise a light source and an opaque screen located in the incident light path, the screen having two apertures formed therein, the apertures being formed on either side of a generally central position such that two angular directional light sources are produced. The distance between the apertures determines the angle of the incident light sources. However, it is envisaged that the directional light source(s) may be provided by any convenient means, e.g. two separate light sources. A conventional microscope may include illumination means comprising a circular ring-shaped source comprising optical fibres illuminated by a remote tungsten light bulb. The illumination means of the present invention can be obtained by masking off all but two diametrically opposite sections of the illuminator. Preferred Embodiment Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: WO 99/33671 PCT/GB98/03889 7 Figure 1 is a magnified schematic diagram of the type of mark which is formed using the method and apparatus of the first and second aspects of the present invention; Figure 2 is a further magnified cross-sectional view along line A - A of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a mark in the form of an alphanumeric character may be formed by means of a plurality of equally spaced, parallel elongate grooves 10 each separated by a distance d. Each groove 10 may have a generally square or rectangular cross-section, as shown in Figure 2. Alternatively, a sinusoidal profile may be preferred to reduce unwanted higher order diffraction. Example A specific method of forming each groove will now be described. A diamond gemstone is mounted in a suitable holder and placed in a vacuum chamber equipped with a focused ion beam source such as supplied by FEI or Micrion. During exposure, the region to be marked may be irradiated using an electron flood gun supplied by Micrion, providing a low energy, e.g. 1-100 eV, source of electrons, to prevent the diamond from becoming charged. Using a focused ion beam with a raster scan or similar to scan the beam with, for instance, electrostatic deflection (as an alternative, the diamond may be moved but this is less practical), and optionally any suitable software for controlling the ion beam, a series of closely spaced parallel lines are 'written' on the diamond facet. The sample is removed from the vacuum chamber, placed in a stainless steel crucible, and covered with a powerful oxidising agent, such as molten potassium nitrate, for a WO 99/33671 PCT/GB98/03889 8 period of around one to two hours. The sample is subsequently cooled and removed from the potassium nitrate before being cleaned using water and ethanol, thereby removing the portions of the diamond surface which have been disordered by the ion beam, and leaving a series of closely spaced grooves each around 30 - 35 nm deep, with no evidence of blackening. Upon examination before cleaning, the exposed region is identifiable by its graphite like appearance when examined, for example, in a reflected light microscope. Such a mark would not be acceptable to a diamond grader, in that it would substantially reduce the clarity grade of the diamond. However, after cleaning using the powerful oxidising agent, the mark is not easily visible in a microscope, with no contrast between the mark and surrounding areas. The mark only becomes visible when illuminated by preferably two directional light sources at an angle which corresponds to the angle of diffracted light of a particular wavelength, for example blue light, at which time the mark appears blue. Such a mark is acceptable to a diamond grader in that it does not detrimentally affect the clarity grade of the diamond. The closely spaced grooves are preferably formed within an 'invisible outline' of an alphanumeric character or the like, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings, a method and apparatus for viewing the mark produced by the process described above will now be described by way of example only. The marked diamond 104 is placed on the viewing surface 100 of a conventional microscope 102. The diamond 104 is illuminated by two directional light sources 106 having an angle 6 relative to the vertical axis Y. As described above, 6 is chosen so that the mark appears to be, for example, blue or red, as desired. Thus, if the mark is to appear blue, and d is approximately 1200nm, then 0 is chosen to satisfy: d.sin0 = (approximately) 450nm WO 99/33671 PCT/GB98/03889 9 where n=1 and 450nm is the approximate wavelength of blue light, which is the wavelength of the diffracted light at X in Figure 3. In this case, 0 = 220. The directional light sources may be provided by a generally ring-shaped illuminator, all but two diametrically opposite portions thereof being masked off. However, any suitable light source may be used to produce the same effect. The present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications can be made within the spirit of the invention, which extends to the equivalents of the features described. The invention also consists in any individual features described or implicit herein or shown or implicit in the drawings or any combination of any such features or any generalisation of any such features or combination.
Claims (61)
1. A method of forming a mark on a surface of a diamond or gemstone, the mark consisting of one or more alphanumeric characters or the like, comprising the step of forming a plurality of grooves on said surface of the diamond or gemstone, the mark being such that it cannot be read by the naked eye, the grooves producing a visible diffraction effect under certain predetermined lighting conditions such that the mark can be read under certain predetermined magnification conditions.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said grooves are formed by means of a focused ion beam.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein areas of said surface of the diamond or gemstone in which the crystal lattice thereof is disordered by said focused ion beam are removed by means of a highly oxidising agent.
4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said highly oxidising agent is molten potassium nitrate.
5. A method according to claim 3, wherein said highly oxidising agent is a compound in the form XnYm, where the group X is Li + , Na + , K + , Rb + , Cs + or other cation, or mixtures thereof, and the group Y is OH, NO3-, 022-, 02, CO 3 2 -or other anion, or mixtures thereof, the integers n and m being used to maintain charge balance.
6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said grooves are formed as substantially equally spaced apart, parallel elongate grooves.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of intersecting sets of grooves are formed so as to produce a cross-hatched effect. WO 99/33671 PCT/GB98/03889 11
8. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein said focused ion beam has a beam energy of 50 keV or less.
9. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein said focused ion beam has a beam current of about 0.5 nA.
10. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the dosage of ions provided by said focused ion beam is approximately 1013/cm 2 to 1017/cm 2 .
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said dosage is approximately 10 14 /cm 2 to 1016/cm 2
12. A method according to any one of claims 2-11, wherein the region of said surface of a diamond or gemstone to be marked is irradiated with a low energy source of electrons, in order to eliminate charging.
13. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said diamond is a gemstone diamond.
14. Apparatus for forming a mark on a surface of a diamond or gemstone, the mark consisting of one or more alphanumeric characters or the like, comprising means for forming a plurality of grooves on said surface of the diamond or other gemstone, the mark being such that it cannot be read by the naked eye, the grooves producing a visible diffraction effect under certain predetermined lighting conditions such that it can be read under certain predetermined magnification conditions.
15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said means for forming said plurality of grooves comprises means for irradiating portions of said diamond or gemstone so as to cause the crystal lattice thereof to become disordered and produce a disordered layer, and means for removing said disordered layer. WO 99/33671 PCT/GB98/03889 12
16. Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said means for irradiating portions of said diamond comprises a focused ion beam.
17. Apparatus according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein said disordered layer is removed by means of a highly oxidising agent.
18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said highly oxidising agent is molten potassium nitrate.
19. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said highly oxidising agent is a compound in the form XnYm, where the group X is Li + , Na + , K + , Rb + , Cs t or other cation, or mixtures thereof, and the group Y is OH, NO3", 022-, 02, CO 3 2 or other anion, or mixtures thereof, the integers n and m being used to maintain charge balance.
20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein said focused ion beam has a beam energy of 50 keV or less.
21. Apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein said focused ion beam has a beam current of about 0.5 nA.
22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein the dosage of ions provided by said focused ion beam is approximately 10 13 /cm 2 to 1017/cm 2 .
23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said dosage is approximately 1014/cm2 to 10 '/cm 2
24. Apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 23, further comprising means for irradiating the region of said surface of a diamond to be marked with a low energy source of electrons, in order to eliminate charging. WO 99/33671 PCT/GB98/03889 13
25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said means for irradiating is an electron flood gun.
26. A method or apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said mark does not detrimentally affect the clarity grade of the diamond.
27. A diamond or gemstone having a mark formed thereon by means of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
28. A method of forming a mark on the surface of a diamond or gemstone, comprising the step of forming a plurality of grooves on the surface of the diamond or gemstone, said grooves producing a visible diffraction effect under certain predetermined illumination conditions, without detrimentally affecting the clarity grade of the diamond or gemstone.
29. A method according to claim 28, wherein said mark is in the form of one or more alphanumeric characters or the like.
30. A method according to claim 28 or claim 29 wherein, said grooves are formed by means of a focused ion beam.
31. A method according to claim 29 or claim 30, wherein areas of said surface of said diamond or gemstone in which the crystal lattice thereof is disordered by said focused ion beam are removed by a highly oxidising agent.
32. A method according to claim 31, wherein said highly oxidising agent is molten potassium nitrate.
33. A method according to claim 31, wherein said highly oxidisable agent is a compound in the form XnYm, where the group X is Li+, Na , K+, Rb , Cs or other WO 99/33671 PCT/GB98/03889 14 cation, or mixtures thereof, and the group Y is 1OH', NO3, 022, 02, CO 3 2 or other anion, or mixtures thereof, the integers n and m being used to maintain charge balance.
34. A method according to any one of claims 28 to 33, wherein said grooves are formed as substantially equally spaced apart, parallel elongate grooves.
35. A method according to claim 34, wherein two or more intersecting sets of grooves are formed so as to produce a cross-hatched effect.
36. A method according to any one of claims 29 to 35, wherein said focused ion beam has a beam energy of 50 keV or less.
37. A method according to any one of claims 29 to 36, wherein said focused ion beam has a beam current of about 0.5 nA.
38. A method according to any one of claims 29 to 37, wherein the dosage of ions provided by said focused ion beam is approximately 1013/cm 2 to 10 7 /cm 2 .
39. A method according to claim 38, wherein said dosage is approximately 10 1 4 /cm 2 to 1016/cm2
40. A method according to any one of claims 28 to 39, wherein the region of said surface of a diamond or gemstone to be marked is irradiated with a low energy source of electrons, in order to eliminate charging.
41. A diamond having a mark formed thereon by means of the method according to claims 28 to 40.
42. Apparatus for forming a mark on the surface of a diamond or gemstone, comprising means for forming a plurality of grooves on the surface of the diamond, said grooves producing a visible diffraction effect under certain predetermined WO 99/33671 PCT/GB98/03889 15 illumination conditions, without detrimentally affecting the clarity grade of the diamond.
43. Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said means for forming said plurality of grooves comprises means for irradiating portions of said diamond or gemstone so as to cause the crystal lattice thereof to become disordered and produce a disordered layer, and means for removing said disordered layer.
44. Apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said means for irradiating portions of said diamond or gemstone comprises a focused ion beam.
45. Apparatus according to claim 43 or claim 44, wherein said disordered layer is removed by means of a highly oxidising agent.
46. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said highly oxidising agent is molten potassium nitrate.
47. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said highly oxidising agent is a compound in the form XnYm, where the group X is Li , Na , K+, Rb + , Cs + or other cation, or mixtures thereof, and the group Y is 1OH-, N0 3 , 022-, 02-, CO 3 2 or other anion, or mixtures thereof, the integers n and m being used to maintain charge balance.
48. Apparatus according to any one of claims 44 to 47, wherein said focused ion beam has a beam energy of 50 keV or less.
49. Apparatus according to any one of claims 44 to 48, wherein said focused ion beam has a beam current of about 0.5 nA.
50. Apparatus according to any one of claims 44 to 49, wherein the dosage of ions provided by said focused ion beam is approximately 101 3 /cm 2 to 101 7 /cm 2 WO 99/33671 PCT/GB98/03889 16
51. Apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said dosage is approximately 10 1 4 /cm 2 to 1016/cm2
52. Apparatus according to any one of claims 42 to 51, further comprising means for irradiating the region of said surface of a diamond or gemstone to be marked with a low energy source of electrons, in order to eliminate charging.
53. Apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said means for irradiating is an electron flood gun.
54. Apparatus for viewing a mark on the surface of a diamond or gemstone, said mark consisting of a plurality of grooves which produce a highly diffractive effect when magnified and illuminated, the apparatus comprising illumination means for illuminating the mark with directional light at an angle which corresponds to the diffraction angle of light of a predetermined wavelength or band of wavelengths, viewing means for viewing said mark, and magnification means for magnifying the viewed image of said mark.
55. Apparatus according to claim 54, wherein the angle and direction from which the illuminating light is supplied is such that the mark can be viewed against a relatively dark background.
56. A method of viewing a mark on the surface of a diamond or gemstone said mark consisting of a plurality of grooves which produce a diffractive effect when illuminated, the method comprising the steps of illuminating the mark with directional light at an angle which corresponds to the diffraction angle of light of a predetermined wavelength or band of wavelengths, viewing said mark, and magnifying the viewed image of said mark. WO 99/33671 PCT/GB98/03889 17
57. A method according to claim 56, comprising the step of choosing the angle and direction from which the illuminating light is supplied so as to view the mark against a relatively dark background.
58. A method of forming a mark on a surface of a diamond or gemstone substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
59. Apparatus for forming a mark on a surface of a diamond or gemstone substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
60. Apparatus for viewing a mark formed on a surface of a diamond or gemstone, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
61. A method of viewing a mark formed on the surface of a diamond or gemstone, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9727364.3A GB9727364D0 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1997-12-24 | Watermark |
| GB9727364 | 1997-12-24 | ||
| PCT/GB1998/003889 WO1999033671A1 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-12-23 | Diamond or gemstone marking by plurality of grooves |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU1774399A true AU1774399A (en) | 1999-07-19 |
| AU746557B2 AU746557B2 (en) | 2002-05-02 |
Family
ID=10824244
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU17743/99A Ceased AU746557B2 (en) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-12-23 | Diamond or gemstone marking by plurality of grooves |
Country Status (14)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1042132B1 (en) |
| JP (2) | JP4497720B2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR100501089B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1146506C (en) |
| AU (1) | AU746557B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2316957C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69820295T2 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2212385T3 (en) |
| GB (2) | GB9727364D0 (en) |
| IL (1) | IL136967A0 (en) |
| RU (1) | RU2215659C2 (en) |
| TW (1) | TW458836B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1999033671A1 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA9811838B (en) |
Families Citing this family (24)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2357737A (en) * | 1999-12-27 | 2001-07-04 | Yasuhira Mori | Digitally marking a gemstone using a laser |
| CA2445443C (en) * | 2001-04-26 | 2013-01-08 | Valinmark Inc. | Method for producing and visualising an optically invisible mark |
| ATE407100T1 (en) * | 2003-12-12 | 2008-09-15 | Element Six Ltd | METHOD FOR INSERTING A MARKER INTO A CVD DIAMOND |
| RU2382122C2 (en) * | 2003-12-12 | 2010-02-20 | Элемент Сикс Лимитед | Method of embedding mark into diamond, obtained through chemical deposition |
| WO2007067696A1 (en) * | 2005-12-06 | 2007-06-14 | California Institute Of Technology | Enhancing the optical characteristics of a gemstone |
| US8069688B2 (en) | 2006-12-06 | 2011-12-06 | California Institute Of Technology | Gemstones and methods for controlling the appearance thereof |
| RU2373307C1 (en) * | 2008-07-24 | 2009-11-20 | Юрий Константинович Низиенко | Identification mark for marking valuables and method of making said mark |
| RU2427041C2 (en) * | 2009-05-08 | 2011-08-20 | Юрий Константинович Низиенко | Method of making identification mark for marking valuable articles and valuable article with said mark |
| RU2426487C2 (en) * | 2009-05-08 | 2011-08-20 | Юрий Константинович Низиенко | Identification mark to mark valuable items and valuable item with its application |
| RU2427908C1 (en) * | 2010-03-29 | 2011-08-27 | Юрий Константинович Низиенко | Method to detect visually invisible identification mark on surface of valuable item, method of its positioning in process of detection and detector for process realisation |
| USD699618S1 (en) | 2010-10-25 | 2014-02-18 | California Institute Of Technology | Surface ornamentation for a diamond |
| EP2566653B1 (en) | 2011-07-27 | 2013-12-11 | Potemkin, Alexander | Method for applying a marking onto the surface of a diamond or brilliant and for verifying its authenticity |
| US20130264391A1 (en) * | 2012-04-04 | 2013-10-10 | Miriam MERENFELD | Reflective surface having a computer readable code |
| USD699145S1 (en) | 2012-06-28 | 2014-02-11 | Benjamin J. Gudlewski | Surface ornamentation for a gemstone |
| WO2014190801A1 (en) * | 2013-05-30 | 2014-12-04 | Goldway Technology Limited | Method of marking material and system therefore, and material marked according to same method |
| KR102098315B1 (en) * | 2013-10-11 | 2020-04-10 | 차우 타이 푹 쥬얼리 컴퍼니 리미티드 | Method of providing markings to precious stones including gemstones and diamonds, and markings and marked precious stones marked according to such a method |
| HK1198858A2 (en) | 2014-04-16 | 2015-06-12 | Master Dynamic Limited | Method of marking a solid state material, and solid state materials marked according to such a method |
| CH713538B1 (en) * | 2017-03-02 | 2020-12-30 | Guebelin Gem Lab Ltd | Procedure for making a gemstone traceable. |
| EP3625060A4 (en) * | 2018-02-23 | 2021-03-24 | Master Dynamic Limited | Method of marking a solid-state material, markings formed from such methods and solid-state materials marked according to such a method |
| WO2019232536A1 (en) * | 2018-06-02 | 2019-12-05 | Scarselli Bruno | Asset identification, registration, tracking and commercialization apparatuses and methods |
| SG10201805438TA (en) * | 2018-06-25 | 2020-01-30 | Iia Tech Pte Ltd | A diamond having nanostructures on one of its surface to generate structural colours and a method of producing thereof |
| EP3712717A1 (en) | 2019-03-19 | 2020-09-23 | Comadur S.A. | Method for marking a sapphire watchglass |
| RU2720100C1 (en) * | 2019-03-26 | 2020-04-24 | Акционерная Компания "АЛРОСА" (публичное акционерное общество) (АК "АЛРОСА" (ПАО)) | Method of creating and detecting optically permeable image inside diamond and detection system (embodiments) |
| CN111983804A (en) * | 2020-08-27 | 2020-11-24 | 蔡汉荣 | Metal surface and method for forming reflective projection imaging by utilizing metal surface processing |
Family Cites Families (16)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB718651A (en) * | 1952-06-23 | 1954-11-17 | Ici Ltd | Improvements in or relating to optical goniometers |
| US4200506A (en) * | 1977-11-08 | 1980-04-29 | Dreschhoff Gisela A M | Process for providing identification markings for gemstones |
| JPS56108712U (en) * | 1980-01-24 | 1981-08-24 | ||
| EP0064780A1 (en) * | 1981-05-07 | 1982-11-17 | Maurice Hakoune | Process for treating a gem, and gem so treated |
| US4467172A (en) * | 1983-01-03 | 1984-08-21 | Jerry Ehrenwald | Method and apparatus for laser engraving diamonds with permanent identification markings |
| US4639301B2 (en) * | 1985-04-24 | 1999-05-04 | Micrion Corp | Focused ion beam processing |
| DE3802535A1 (en) * | 1987-05-21 | 1989-02-23 | Sattler Hans Eberhard | DEVICE FOR CONSIDERING, IN PARTICULAR, RAW GEMS IN AN IMMERSION LIQUID |
| US5178645A (en) * | 1990-10-08 | 1993-01-12 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | Cutting tool of polycrystalline diamond and method of manufacturing the same |
| JP2867694B2 (en) * | 1990-11-27 | 1999-03-08 | 住友電気工業株式会社 | Polycrystalline diamond cutting tool and its manufacturing method |
| JPH0594615A (en) * | 1991-09-30 | 1993-04-16 | Toppan Printing Co Ltd | Information recording medium |
| AU676274B2 (en) * | 1993-03-05 | 1997-03-06 | Gersan Establishment | Distinguishing natural from synthetic diamond |
| JPH07108007A (en) * | 1993-10-13 | 1995-04-25 | Daiwa Kako Kk | Ornament |
| GB9514558D0 (en) * | 1995-07-17 | 1995-09-13 | Gersan Ets | Marking diamond |
| US5932119A (en) * | 1996-01-05 | 1999-08-03 | Lazare Kaplan International, Inc. | Laser marking system |
| JPH10244382A (en) * | 1997-03-04 | 1998-09-14 | Mitsubishi Chem Corp | Texture device and texture processing method |
| IL124592A (en) * | 1997-05-23 | 2002-07-25 | Gersan Ets | Method of marking a gemstone or diamond |
-
1997
- 1997-12-24 GB GBGB9727364.3A patent/GB9727364D0/en not_active Ceased
-
1998
- 1998-12-22 GB GB9828393A patent/GB2332651B/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-23 CA CA002316957A patent/CA2316957C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-23 RU RU2000119785/12A patent/RU2215659C2/en active
- 1998-12-23 IL IL13696798A patent/IL136967A0/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-12-23 WO PCT/GB1998/003889 patent/WO1999033671A1/en not_active Ceased
- 1998-12-23 AU AU17743/99A patent/AU746557B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1998-12-23 ES ES98962614T patent/ES2212385T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-23 JP JP2000526381A patent/JP4497720B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-23 CN CNB988137879A patent/CN1146506C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-23 DE DE69820295T patent/DE69820295T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-23 EP EP98962614A patent/EP1042132B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-23 ZA ZA9811838A patent/ZA9811838B/en unknown
- 1998-12-23 KR KR10-2000-7007105A patent/KR100501089B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-12-31 TW TW087122018A patent/TW458836B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2009
- 2009-08-20 JP JP2009190919A patent/JP2009285733A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9727364D0 (en) | 1998-02-25 |
| GB2332651B (en) | 2001-11-07 |
| WO1999033671A1 (en) | 1999-07-08 |
| DE69820295T2 (en) | 2004-10-21 |
| JP4497720B2 (en) | 2010-07-07 |
| CA2316957A1 (en) | 1999-07-08 |
| KR100501089B1 (en) | 2005-07-18 |
| CA2316957C (en) | 2004-04-27 |
| EP1042132B1 (en) | 2003-12-03 |
| KR20010040311A (en) | 2001-05-15 |
| TW458836B (en) | 2001-10-11 |
| CN1146506C (en) | 2004-04-21 |
| GB2332651A (en) | 1999-06-30 |
| GB9828393D0 (en) | 1999-02-17 |
| ES2212385T3 (en) | 2004-07-16 |
| EP1042132A1 (en) | 2000-10-11 |
| RU2215659C2 (en) | 2003-11-10 |
| AU746557B2 (en) | 2002-05-02 |
| JP2001526996A (en) | 2001-12-25 |
| IL136967A0 (en) | 2001-06-14 |
| ZA9811838B (en) | 2000-06-23 |
| JP2009285733A (en) | 2009-12-10 |
| CN1284916A (en) | 2001-02-21 |
| DE69820295D1 (en) | 2004-01-15 |
| HK1020032A1 (en) | 2000-03-10 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FGA | Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent) |