Intercalation of graphene on iridium with sodium atoms

It has been shown that sodium atoms deposited on the surface of graphene atop iridium at T ≤ 850 K diffuse under the graphene layer into an intercalated state and accumulate there in significant concentrations ∼(2-3) × 1014 atoms cm−2. The release of the atoms from under the graphene "carpet” takes place upon destruction of the layer at T ≥ 1800 K. The physical nature of the differences in the processes of release of atoms of different alkali metals from under graphene has been discussed

Unusual optical properties of graphene on an Rh surface

Single- and multilayer graphene films formed on the surface of a number of metals (Rh, Pt, Ir, and Re) at the thermal decomposition of benzene molecules have been studied. A surprising phenomenon has been revealed: these films with thicknesses up to 15 layers do not absorb light emitted by the surface and affect neither brightness nor true temperatures of the surface, which contradicts the fundamental results obtained by A. Geim and K. Novoselov. At larger thicknesses, absorption occurs in agreement with the commonly accepted concepts