preparation 210 comprises placing a nanotube sample directly into quartz tube 120 for insertion into a microwave cavity in yet another embodiment nanotube sample preparation 210 comprises placing a plurality of nanotube samples in treatment vessels for insertion into a microwave cavity in an embodiment the prepared nanotube sample is composed of a mixture of metallic type carbon swnts and semiconducting type carbon swnts the nanotube sample may be of any size that is convenient for processing within the microwave cavity in an embodiment the prepared nanotube sample weighs approximately 100 mg in another embodiment the prepared nanotube sample weighs between about 10 milligrams and 10 grams in an embodiment the prepared carbon nanotube sample can contain additional materials formed during synthesis of the carbon nanotubes such as amorphous carbon created as a reaction byproduct during synthesis of carbon nanotubes by cvd or laser vaporization in another embodiment the prepared nanotube sample can contain materials added to facilitate carbon nanotube synthesis such as metal nanoparticles used as a growth catalyst in still another embodiment the prepared carbon nanotube sample may contain low levels of additional materials such as trace levels of metals or other impurities in another embodiment nanotube sample preparation 210 optionally includes treating the nanotube sample to remove additional conductive or ferromagnetic materials for.