Nano and micro structure of laser damaged fullerite single crystal

ABSTRACTWe have studied the nano and micro structure of the product resulting from high fluence laser irradiation of C60 single crystal. Raman spectra reveal that, in the presence of oxygen, amorphous carbon (a-C) is formed. The laser heating of the sample promotes fullerene o:ddation and cage opening reactions: the new carbon phase is originated by the coalescence of C60 fragments. The irradiance threshold tbr a-C tbrmation is discussed. Brillouin spectroscopy shows that the acoustic properties of the irradiated material are typical ofa higly porous material similar to carbon aerogels. Under irradiation in an inert environment C60 degradation is not observed, even for high power densities.