Optical performance and symmetry assessment of diamond cuts using the ALBATROSS-TT system

The compact table top system ALBATROSS-TT (3D-Arrangement for Laser Based Transmittance, Reflectance and Optical Scatter measurement - Table Top) enables angle resolved scattering (ARS), T and R measurements with highest sensitivity (dynamic range of 13 orders of magnitude) of arbitrary surfaces, materials, and components at multiple wavelengths and in the full 3D sphere. Diamond grading is typically performed by the so-called "4C rule" to evaluate Carat, Clarity, Color, and Cut. Moreover, cut quality is classified with respect to symmetry, polish, shape, and proportions. These have a major impact on the optical performance of the gemstone ("brightness", "fire", and "scintillation") and can be related to scatter level, characteristic angle resolved scatter distributions, and dispersion effects. It will be shown that our table top system can be effectively used for the comprehensive characterization of high performance gemstones, in particular diamonds. Further examples of applications are also demonstrated.