Fullerene films deposited by evaporation in vacuum using spot-focused annular electron beam

Abstract

A rapidly focused annular electron beam can provide for the effective evaporation of a fullerene mixture in a vacuum of ∼10−2 Pa. A 1-kW beam focused into a spot within 0.1–1 s produces explosive evaporation of a fullerene target at an extremely high efficiency of heating. A comparison of the Raman and electronic absorption spectra of the initial fullerene powder and a film deposited upon its evaporation shows that C60 and C70 fullerenes are evaporated without rupture of C-C covalent bonds. The electron beam evaporation in vacuum has been successfully used to obtain fullerene films on substrates with an area of ∼0.1 m2.