Scientists have a new form of carbon, magnetic and harder diamond

American scientists from the University of North Carolina, while in search of low-cost production technology of artificial diamonds, наткнулись In early December a new , a previously unknown form of carbon. The crystalline carbon, called carbon Kew scientists [Q-carbon], denser and harder than normal diamonds, is a ferromagnet and glows in the dark.

It is believed that the nature of diamonds formed at great depths at high pressures (typically 50,000 atmospheres) and temperatures (approximately 1200 ºC). For the creation of synthetic diamonds, which are mainly used in industry and in laboratory conditions are similar. However, this technology requires a lot of energy, which affects the final cost of the product.

Such unusual properties of carbon compounds which have been found in Kew carbon, the scientists managed to achieve thanks new technology . At normal atmospheric pressure non-crystalline carbon is heated microwave laser. Once the carbon is melted and reaches a temperature of about 3700 ºC, puddle very quickly cooled.

When heated, the carbon atomic bonds are shortened and do not have time to elongate back on cooling. As a result, the resulting material is denser and about half as much harder than diamond. This and his other unusual properties are now closely studied by researchers. Moreover, according to the scientists, by adjusting the cooling rate, it is possible to seek cue-carbon crystals of various shapes - needles, films and so on.

How to get low, because the scientists used existing laser used for eye surgery. And the crystals grow very quickly - as claimed by lead author Jagdish Narayan [Jagdish Narayan], one carat can be grown in 15 minutes. While the size of crystals obtained about 70 microns, but if we take a broader laser beam could be, and the crystals grow larger in size.

Source: geektimes.ru/post/267422/