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It is demonstrated theoretically that particle irradiation may lead to a destabilization of graphitic structures with respect to low-pressure growth of diamond. This is due to the large difference in the cross sections for irradiation-induced displacements of carbon atoms in diamond and graphite. A nonequilibrium phase diagram is calculated that shows the stability of graphite and diamond as a function of the displacement rate of atoms. The theoretical results are related to the experimentally observed transformation of spherical graphitic onions to diamond under electron irradiation.
Zaiser et al. (Mon,) studied this question.