Search for the UV and IR Spectra of C_{6 0} in Laboratory-Produced Carbon Dust

Abstract

Carbon dust samples were prepared by evaporating graphite in an atmosphere of an inert quenching gas (Ar or He). Changes of the spectral features of the carbon dust were observed when the pressure of the quenching gas was increased. At low pressures (order 10 torr), the spectra show the familiar broad continua. At high pressures (order 100 torr), narrow lines in the IR and two (or possibly three) broad features in the UV emerge. The four strongest IR features are located at 1429, 1183, 577, and 527 cm^-1. Their positions are close to that predicted for the C_{6 0} molecule. The UV features are observed at 340, 270, and, less distinct, at 220 nm. One of these features may be related to the known 368 nm transition of C_{6 0}. It thus appears that at high quenching gas pressures C_{6 0} is produced along with the carbon dust.