AFM and STM investigation of carbon nanotubes produced by high energy ion irradiation of graphite

• Published in: Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section B, Beam interactions with materials and atoms Vol. 147; no. 1; pp. 142 - 147
• Main Authors: Biró, L.P., Márk, G.I., Gyulai, J., Havancsák, K., Lipp, S., Lehrer, Ch, Frey, L., Ryssel, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 1999
• Subjects: Atomic force microscopy; Carbon nanotubes; Focused ion beam; Ion irradiation; Scanning tunneling microscopy; Vibrating carbon nanotube; 61.16.Ch; 81.05.Ys; Atomic force microscopy; Scanning tunneling microscopy; Ion irradiation; Focused ion beam; Carbon nanotubes; Vibrating carbon nanotube; 61.48.+c; 61.80.Jh; 85.40.Ux; 81.05.Tp
• ISSN: 0168-583X; 1872-9584
• DOI: 10.1016/S0168-583X(98)00565-5

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) were produced by high energy, heavy ion irradiation (215 MeV Ne, 246 MeV Kr, 156 MeV Xe) of graphite. On samples irradiated with Kr and Xe ions large craters were found by atomic force microscopy, these are attributed to sputtering. Frequently one or several CNTs emerge from the craters. Some of the observed CNTs showed a regular vibration pattern. No other carbon based materials, like amorphous carbon or fullerenes were evidenced. Focused ion beam cuts were used to compare CNTs with surface folds on graphite.