Scanning probe method investigation of carbon nanotubes produced by high energy ion irradiation of graphite

Carbon nanotubes were evidenced by atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite irradiated with high energy ions (215 MeV Ne, 209 MeV Kr, 246 MeV Kr, and 156 MeV Xe). On the samples irradiated with Kr and Xe ions, craters attributed to sputtering were found. Frequently, one or several nanotubes emerge from these sputtering craters. Some of the observed nanotubes vibrate when scanned with the AFM. Except nanotubes, no other deposits were observed.