Plasma Used to Create Graphene (IMAGE) California Institute of Technology Caption A ray of plasma, which glows pink, is used to activate a gas of hydrogen and methane molecules and break them down into smaller fragments. The sample to be coated, such as a two-dimensional copper line, is then immersed in the plasma, and carbon from the gas gets deposited onto the surface as thin sheets of graphene. Credit Caltech Usage Restrictions No restrictions. License CC0 Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.