Micro-Raman study of the Allende meteoritic nanodiamonds: Supernova-driven shock wave origin is revisited

Abstract

I have studied the Raman spectroscopic signatures of nanodiamonds from the Allende meteorite, in which some portions must be of presolar origin as indicated by the isotopic compositions of various trace elements. The spectra of the meteoritic nanodiamonds show a narrow peak at 1326 cm−1 and a broad band at 1590 cm−1. Compared to the intensities of these peaks, the background fluorescence is relatively high. A significant frequency shift from 1332 to 1326 cm−1, peak broadening, and appearance of a new peak at 1590 cm−1 might be due to shock effects during formation of the diamond grains. Such changes may have several origins: an increase in bond length, a change in the electron density function or charge transfer, or a combination of these factors. However, Raman spectroscopy alone does not allow distinguishing between a shock origin of the nanodiamonds and formation by a CVD process, as is favored by most workers.