Patent ID: 6887144

Claim:
A three-dimensional faceted synthetic diamond crystal for use in a tool, the diamond crystal comprising at least one dopant element being selected from the group consisting of boron, aluminum, and combinations thereof, wherein nitrogen is dissolved in the crystal, and wherein the concentration of nitrogen exceeds the total concentration of dopant elements, and having a greater concentration toward or near an outermost surface of the crystal than in the center of the crystal, wherein the concentration of the dopant element is at a local minimum at least about 5 micrometers below the surface, wherein the concentration of the dopant element causes an expansion of the diamond lattice toward or near the outmost surface of the diamond crystal, the tangential compressive stresses being in the range of between about 10 and about 5000 megapascals (MPa); and wherein the generation of tangential compressive stresses increases the compressive fracture strength of the diamond as compared to a diamond crystal in which the diamond lattice is not substantially expanded.