Diameter grouping in bulk samples of single-walled carbon nanotubes from optical absorption spectroscopy

• Published in: Applied physics letters Vol. 75; no. 15; pp. 2217 - 2219
• Main Authors: Jost, O., Gorbunov, A. A., Pompe, W., Pichler, T., Friedlein, R., Knupfer, M., Reibold, M., Bauer, H.-D., Dunsch, L., Golden, M. S., Fink, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 11-10-1999
• ISSN: 0003-6951; 1077-3118
• DOI: 10.1063/1.124969

The influence of the synthesis parameters on the mean characteristics of single-wall carbon nanotubes in soot produced by the laser vaporization of graphite has been analyzed using optical absorption spectroscopy. The abundance and mean diameter of the nanotubes were found to be most influenced by the furnace temperature and the cobalt/nickel catalyst mixing ratio. Via an analysis of the fine structure in the optical spectra, the existence of preferred nanotube diameters has been established and their related fractional abundance could be determined. The results are consistent with nanotubes located mainly around the armchair axis.