Nanometer-Scale Pulsed Laser Modification of the Basal Plane of Graphite Observed with Stm

Abstract

ABSTRACTScanning tunneling microscopy has been used to document changes in the nanometer-scale morphology of the basal plane of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite after exposure to 7 ns, 1064 nm laser.pulses in air. Surface modification was visible at fluences far below those that produce melting. Damage appears first on step edges and consists of exfoliation of graphite layers and recession of steps through removal of mono- or multilayer patches.