Jiahui (Gloria) Zhao
PhD Title: Fluorescence, Phosphorescence, Thermoluminescence and Charge Transfer in Synthetic Diamond
PhD Supervisor: Prof. Mark Newton, Dr Ben Green
Institution: University of Warwick
Industrial sponsor: De Beers Group Ignite
Synopsis of research:
Investigation of the origin and photo-physics of long-lived luminescence in diamonds. To facilitate the work, I have constructed experimental set-ups for UV-excited photoluminescence (PL), phosphorescence and thermoluminescence (83 – 873 K). I have employed multiple techniques such as PL, optical absorption (including FTIR microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy), UV-Vis, Raman, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to investigate defect concentration and charge state. Techniques of optically excited time-resolved EPR and FTIR absorption spectroscopy were used to investigate charge transfer dynamics. This research was carried out in collaboration with De Beers Group Ignite.
Education
2017 - present: PhD Physics, University of Warwick
2016 - 2017: MSc Diamond Science and Technology, University of Warwick: Distinction
Mini-project 1: Phosphorescence in type IIa HPHT synthetic diamond
Mini-project 2: Thermoluminescence and Photoluminescence in type II synthetic diamond
2010 – 2014: BSc Gemmology and Material Science, China University of Geoscience, Beijing
2014 Award Gemmology Diploma of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain FGA
2013 Award Diploma of Certified Diamond Grader by HRD Antwerp
Conference
2017 Jul: De Beers 68th Diamond Conference, The University of Warwick. Poster presentation " Phosphorescence in type IIa HPHT synthetic diamond."
2018 Jul: De Beers 69th Diamond Conference, The University of Warwick. Poster presentation " Phosphorescence and Thermoluminescence studies of Synthetic Diamonds."
2018 Oct: GIA symposium, Carlsbad LA. Oral presentation “Fluorescence, Phosphorescence, Thermoluminescence and charge transfer in synthetic diamonds”
2019 Jul: De Beers 70th Diamond Conference, The University of Warwick. Oral presentation and Poster presentation " Photoluminescence, Phosphorescence and Thermoluminescence studies of Synthetic Diamonds."
2019 Nov: China International Gems & Jewelry Academic Conference. Oral presentation " Fluorescence, phosphorescence and thermoluminescence in type II HPHT synthetic diamonds"
2021 Jul: De Beers 71th Diamond Conference, The University of Warwick. Poster presentation " Phosphorescence in type II High-Pressure High-Temperature Synthetic Diamonds."
Awards
2019 China International Gems & Jewelry Academic Conference, Honourable mention paper
2021 De Beers 71th Diamond Conference, Best student poster prize
Employment history
2014 Management trainee
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd.
2014 – 2016 Gemmologist
Centre of Jewellery Gold and Silver Identification in Heilongjiang Province, China
2020 Internship
Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
