ABSTRACT
In laser ablation, a target consisting of graphite mixed with a small amount of transition metal particles as catalyst is placed at the end of a quartz tube enclosed in a furnace [2,5]. ¡e target is exposed to an argon ion laser beam which vaporizes graphite and nucleates CNTs in the shockwave formed in front of the target. Argon ¦ow through the reactor, heated to about 1200°C by the furnace, carries the vapor and the nucleated nanotubes which continue to grow. ¡e nanotubes are deposited on the cooler walls of the quartz tube downstream from the furnace. ¡is produces a high percentage of SWCNTs (∼70%) with the rest being catalyst particles and soot.
