Irradiation-induced transformation of graphite to diamond: A quantitative study

High-energetic particle irradiation of carbon structures containing a graphite-diamond interface can lead to low-pressure diamond growth. A theoretical model predicting irradiation-induced diamond growth has been presented in a previous paper [Zaiser and Banhart, Phys. Rev. Lett. 79, 3680 (1997)]. In the present study, a quantitative experimental investigation of the phase transformation kinetics during electron irradiation in a high-voltage electron microscope is reported. Phase stability and phase transformation velocities are determined as functions of temperature, irradiation energy, and intensity. Experimentally determined phase boundaries and growth velocities are interpreted in terms of the theoretical model.