Adsorption of He atoms in external grooves of single wall carbon nanotube bundles

TL;DR

This study models the quantum states of helium atoms adsorbed in the external grooves of single-wall carbon nanotube bundles, showing the groove as a preferred adsorption site and analyzing the specific heat of the adsorbed helium gas.

Contribution

It provides a quantum mechanical calculation of helium atom states in nanotube grooves and compares the results with experimental data, highlighting the groove's role in adsorption.

Findings

Ground state energy matches experimental estimates

Groove sites are preferred adsorption locations

Calculated specific heat of adsorbed helium agrees with expectations

Abstract

I calculate the quantum states for He atom in the potential of an external groove of the single wall carbon nanotube bundle. The calculated ground state energy is found to be in fair agreement with the experimental estimate which suggests that the outer groove site is a preferential site for the adsorption of He gas in the samples studied experimentally. I also calculate the specific heat of low-density $^4$He atom gas adsorbed in groove positions. The specific geometry of the groove and its influence on the adsorbate quantum states and specific heat are discussed.