How diamonds emerge from graphite
September 20, 2011
Category: CSCS
Researchers from the group of Professor Parrinello have used a new method to precisely simulate the phase transition from graphite to diamond for the first time using CSCS supercomputer "Monte Rosa".
Instead of happening concerted, all at once, the conversion evidently takes place in a step by step process involving the formation of a diamond seed in the graphite, which is then transformed completely at high pressure.