Radiation enhanced sublimation of carbon and carbon related materials

Above 1200 K ion bombardment of carbon materials results in an anomalous emission of carbon atoms. The present experimental basis of this effect, called Radiation Enhanced Sublimation (RES), is described. The current model attributes the RES of carbon materials to the diffusion of radiation produced interstitials to the graphite surface from where they evaporate easily. The basic features of this model are presented and compared with experimental observations. The present knowledge on the influence of doping carbon materials with metals on the RES emission of carbon atoms is shown. (orig.)