Evolution of carbon from atomic clusters to fullerenes in an arc discharge

The formation of fullerenes from an arc-produced turbulent jet of carbon vapor is described. Both direct and backward mono-and bimolecular reactions are analyzed. Initial characteristics of the jet are used as the input parameters of the problem. The analytical dependences of the fullerene yield on the initial velocity of the jet and carbon vapor concentration explain experimental relationships between the fullerene yield, current, pressure, and buffer gas sort.