Here we report the observation of a linear carbon-atom chain, synthesized using an arc discharge from a graphite double anode. We use high-resolution TEM to evidence the formation of a carbon-atom chain along the axis of a needlelike structure consisting of concentric cylindrical graphitic shells. The atomic chain in the core of the innermost cylinder, by calculations on the basis of van der Waals interactions, demonstrates an extremely high thermal stability ͑up to 4200 K͒ and exhibits high mechanical strains.

The thermal conductivities of three types of single-wall carbon nanotubes are studied using the homogeneous non-equilibrium Green-Kubo method based on the Brenner potential. The thermal conductivity of a carbon nanotube is found to have dependence on its chirality. The thermal conductivities of three types of nanotube seem to have similar temperature dependence. The thermal conductivity of the chiral nanotube is lower than that of the other two types of nanotube.

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