Mechanism for the amorphisation of diamond.

Fairchild, Barbara A; Rubanov, Sergey; Lau, Desmond W M; Robinson, Marc; Suarez-Martinez, Irene; Marks, Nigel; Greentree, Andrew D; McCulloch, Dougal et al. · Adv Mater · 2012

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The breakdown of the diamond lattice is explored by ion implantation and molecular dynamics simulations. We show that lattice breakdown is strain-driven, rather than damage-driven, and that the lattice persists until 16% of the atoms have been removed from their lattice sites. The figure shows the transition between amorphous carbon and diamond, with the interfaces highlighted with dashed lines.

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