The infrared and ultraviolet absorption spectra of laboratory-produced carbon dust: evidence for the presence of the C60 molecule

In carbon smoke samples prepared from vaporized graphite at elevated quenching gas pressures (e.g. > 100 Torr He) new absorption features have been observed in the infrared (the strongest at 1429, 1183, 577, and 528 cm−1). Broader features also have been observed in the ultraviolet (the strongest at 340, 270, and 220 nm). By studying 13C-enriched samples we have shown that the infrared absorptions are produced by large, pure carbon molecules. The evidence supports the idea that the features are produced by the icosahedral C60 molecule.