Electron spin resonance study of proton-irradiation-induced defects in graphite

Electron spin resonance measurements of proton-irradiated graphite have revealed detailed nature of proton-irradiation-induced defects. Our results indicate that proton-irradiation creates confined defect regions of a metallic island surrounded by an insulating magnetic region which isolates the metallic island inside from the metallic graphite background outside. We have thus come up with a picture of phase separation in proton-irradiated graphite comprising three regions of distinct electrical and magnetic properties.