Jun. 23, 2010

Single Carbon Atom Chains

80kV- High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) characterization of micromechanically cleaved graphene shows in real- time atomically resolved dynamics of the carbon atoms in graphene constrictions. During electron irradiation, processes of hole formation generate graphene constrictions and eventually lead to stable single carbon atom chains. Carbon chains also occur between carbonaceous adsorbates and looping along graphene edges. more