Spin–orbit splitting in diamond: excitons and acceptor related states

The spin–orbit splitting Δ0=13 meV calculated ab initio for the Γ8+ valence band state of diamond differs from that observed for acceptors (≃2 meV) and exciton states (≃7 meV). A full-zone k·p band structure, together with a Slater–Koster attractive potential, is used to explain these differences and thus clarify the contradictory assignments of spin–orbit splittings found in the literature for diamond.