Laser manipulation of nanodiamonds

We present atomistic simulations of laser induced structural modifications in nanodiamonds. The method used is based on a microscopic approach for the interaction between femtosecond laser pulses and nanostructured materials. It allows us to describe the ultrafast change of bonding type produced in diamond-like nanostructures as a consequence of the laser excitation. In contrast to a thermal processing of nanodiamonds, an ultrashort laser pulse can eliminate all sp(3) bonds in the system on a sub-picosecond time scale, opening the possibility for the production of graphitic nanostructures and the creation of nanocontacts between carbon nanoclusters and other nanostructures. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.