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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Synchrotron X-ray Microdiffraction and Fluorescence Imaging of Mineral and Rock Samples
Published on: June 19, 2018
[The diamond saga: from Moissan to the present day]
1Physicochimie pharmacotechnie biopharmacie, faculté de pharmacie, UMR 8612 du CNRS, Tour D2, 5e étage, université Paris-11, 92296 Châtenay-Malabry, France. henri.szwarc@u-psud.fr
Abstract:
Diamond synthesis by Moissan brought about fierce controversies and harsh criticisms. Our purpose is not to settle the debate but to show that many criticisms were not as rigorous as it could be expected from scientific arguments. We will briefly describe how diamond synthesis developed towards methods that make Moissan's work appears as quite reasonable. The paper concludes with a tribute to Moissan, Hannay and Burton who opened the way towards modern diamond synthesis and the predicted revolution of the semiconducting diamond.
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