Scientists have devised a novel technique for "branding” diamonds with an invisible mark of ownership that can be revealed quickly and conveniently. The distinguishing mark — actually an area of altered electrical conductivity — is normally invisible (photo at left). To make it visible’(photo at right) the diamond is given an electrostatic charge and dusted with a special powder, which outlines the branded region - in this case, a heart-shaped pattern. To create this “brand,” the diamond was placed in an iron implanter that shot a beam of charged atoms (ions) through a heart-shaped opening in a foil mask attached to the crystal. This process created the region of altered electrical conductivity. To make the pattern again become invisible, the powder is simply wiped away. These photos, highlighting one surface of a onethird carat oval-shaped diamond, were taken through a microscope (60X magnified). Its inventors at the General Electric Research Centre in New York are being congratulated for what is considered a most important development in the jewel trade.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19821027.2.167.33
Bibliographic details
Press, 27 October 1982, Page 35
Word Count
166Scientists have devised a novel technique for "branding” diamonds with an invisible mark of ownership that can be revealed quickly and conveniently. The distinguishing mark — actually an area of altered electrical conductivity — is normally invisible (photo at left). To make it visible’(photo at right) the diamond is given an electrostatic charge and dusted with a special powder, which outlines the branded region – in this case, a heart-shaped pattern. To create this “brand,” the diamond was placed in an iron implanter that shot a beam of charged atoms (ions) through a heart-shaped opening in a foil mask attached to the crystal. This process created the region of altered electrical conductivity. To make the pattern again become invisible, the powder is simply wiped away. These photos, highlighting one surface of a onethird carat oval-shaped diamond, were taken through a microscope (60X magnified). Its inventors at the General Electric Research Centre in New York are being congratulated for what is considered a most important development in the jewel trade. Press, 27 October 1982, Page 35
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.