Evidence for temporary and local transition of sp2 graphite-type to sp3 diamond-type bonding induced by the tip of an atomic force microscope

Thomas Hofmann, Xinguo Ren, Alfred J. Weymouth +4

Artificial diamond is created by exposing graphite to pressures on the order of 10\,GPa and temperatures of about 2000\,K. Here, we provide evidence that the pressure exerted by th…