Formation of Diamond by Explosive Shock

Science. 1961 Jun 9;133(3467):1821-2. doi: 10.1126/science.133.3467.1821.

Abstract

Samples of graphite have been recovered after exposure to explosive shocks of 300,000-atm estimated intensity. X-ray and electron-diffraction examinations prove the existence of diamond in this material. The mechanism proposed for the formation of diamond under these conditions is simple compression in the c-axis direction of the rhombohedral form of graphite.