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Carbon nanotubes are produced by depositing carbon material from an electrical arc established between a cathode and a carbon anode. A vibrational driver is coupled to the cathode to vibrate the cathode in a manner which enhances the proportion of carbon nanotubes deposited on the face of the cathod

Carbon nanotubes are produced by depositing carbon material from an electrical arc established between a cathode and a carbon anode. A vibrational driver is coupled to the cathode to vibrate the cathode in a manner which enhances the proportion of carbon nanotubes deposited on the face of the cathode as compared to other carbon materials. The vibration of the cathode may also stabilize the arc to enhance the formation of longer nanotubes than are otherwise possible. The vibrational driver may also be operated to periodically apply a stress pulse of high amplitude to the cathode to dislodge the entire boule of carbon materials which has been deposited on the cathode, allowing a new boule to be formed. In this manner, continuous production of nanotubes can be carried out without the need to periodically halt the arc process to remove carbon material from the cathode.

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1. A method of forming carbon nanotubes comprising:(a) establishing an electrical arc between a carbon anode and a cathode to deposit carbon material including carbon nanotubes onto the cathode; and (b) longitudinally vibrating the cathode while the arc is established between the anode and cathode a

1. A method of forming carbon nanotubes comprising:(a) establishing an electrical arc between a carbon anode and a cathode to deposit carbon material including carbon nanotubes onto the cathode; and (b) longitudinally vibrating the cathode while the arc is established between the anode and cathode and carbon material is deposited on the cathode.