An investigation of the electron irradiation of graphite in a helium atmosphere using a modified electron microscope Original Research Article

The behaviour of graphite particles immersed in helium gas and irradiated with an electronbeam has been investigated. Because this treatment was performed in a modified high resolution transmission electron microscope, the rapid morphological and microstructural changes that occurred could be directly observed. The results have implications for future controlled environment microscopy of carbonaceous materials and the characterisation of such microscopes. It is also shown that the processes can provide insight into ion-irradiation induced damage of graphite and the mechanism of fullerene generation.