PULSED-LASER SEGREGATION OF C-60 FROM SIC

The mass spectrometry of pulsed-laser-deposited SiC films led us to the serendipitous discovery of C-60 formation from sintered SiC solid due to pulsed KrF excimer laser ablation. Micro-Raman spectroscopy indicates a phase separation or compositional segregation into carbon-rich and Si-rich domains in the laser-deposited SIC films. From other metal carbides such as TiC and WC, C-60 could also be produced in the same way. Thus, the pulsed excimer laser ablation is found to provide not only a new route to C-60 but also a unique applicability for laser segregation or distillation of solid solutions.