Synthesis and characterization of low T-g As-S-I chalcohalide glass for processing of raw diamonds

As-S-I chalcohalide glass has been synthesized using elemental sulfur (S), arsenic (As), and iodine (I) in an evacuated sealed silica ampoule. DSC and dilatometry study revealed that the As-S-I glass has very low T-g of only about 50 degrees C, deformation temperature of similar to 61 degrees C, and high CTE similar to 68x10(-6)K(-1) (40-60 degrees C). Refractive index (n) has been found to vary in the range of 2.3-2.4 which is close to the n value of diamond. When defective diamond pieces are embedded in such glasses, the defects within diamond become visible, enabling the optimized processing of diamonds to get maximum yields