Nanocrystalline diamond formation during argon ion irradiation of graphite

In the present work, diamond nanoparticles with sizes of ∼2–70 nm have been produced by Ar+ ion irradiation at the fluence of ∼1022 cm−2. With the help of transmission electron microscope, electron diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy, these nanoparticles’ shape and size were determined and their crystal structure was also solved. From these results, our discussion, based on the viewpoint of beam-solid interaction, may be critical for understanding the growth process of nanocrystalline diamonds.