Stopping of energetic ions in carbon nanotubes

Making use of empirical potential molecular dynamics, we simulated the bombardment of single-walled carbon nanotubes with various ions. We calculated the irradiation-induced damage which proved to be higher for heavy ions than for light ones due to higher values of the cross-section for the defect production in a nanotube. We demonstrated that chemical aspects of ion-nanotube interactions and finite temperatures are of minor importance when energetic ions penetrate through nanotubes. We finally estimated the ability of nanotubes to stop energetic ions. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.