Method of transforming carbon nanotubes

Abstract

A method of transforming a carbon single wall nanotube (SWNT) is provided. The method comprises exposing the SWNT to light having a power sufficient to ignite or reconstruct the SWNT such that the SWNT is ignited or reconstructed by the exposure to the light.

1 . A method of obtaining light emission from a nanotube, comprising exposing the nanotube to a first light such that the nanotube emits a second light due to the exposure to the first light.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first light and the second light comprise light of a different peak wavelength.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first light comprises white light and the second light comprises red or yellow light.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising recording the second light.  
     
     
         5 . A method of obtaining light emission from a nanotube, comprising exposing the nanotube to a first stimulus such that the nanotube emits light due to the exposure to the first stimulus.  
     
     
         6 . A luminescent light source comprising semiconducting single-wall carbon nanotubes.  
     
     
         7 . The light source of  claim 6 , wherein the light is in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.