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Electron configurations close to the tetrahedral hybridization are found in pure amorphous carbon at a concentration which depends on preparation conditions. Tetrahedral bonding at levels of approximately 80% is found in amorphous carbons formed from beams of carbon ions with energies in awindow'between 20 eV and approximately 500 eV. Suitable techniques for its formation include cathodic arc deposition, ion beam deposition and laser ablation. Similar material appears to be formed by pressure treatment of fullerene precursors and by displacement damage in diamond. Highly tetrahedral forms of amorphous carbon (ta-C) show electronic, optical and mechanical properties which approach those of diamond and are quite different from amorphous carbons with low content. Useful techniques for determining the content include electron energy loss spectroscopy, electron and neutron diffraction and Raman …