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arbon atoms in the metal nanoparticle. Precipitation of carbon from the saturated metal particle leads to the formation of tubular carbon solids in sp2 structure. Growth mechanism of a carbon nanotube at an open end by the absorption of C2 dimers and C3 trimers (in black), respectively The adsorption of a C2 dimer or a C3 trimer at the active dangling bond edge site will add one hexagon to the open end. Tubule formation is favored over other forms of carbon, because a tube contains no dangling bonds and therefore is in a low energy form. Schematic experimental setups for other two nanotube growth methodsSinglewalled nanotubes grown by laser ablationStructure and Properties The uniqueness of the nanotube arises from its structure and the inherent subtlety in the structure, which is the helicity in the arrangement of the carbon atoms in hexagonal arrays on their surface honeyb lattices. The helicity (local symmetry), along with the diameter (which determines the size of the repeating structural unit) introduces significant changes in the electronic density of states, and hence provides a unique electronic character for the