Publication Date:
2019
Description:
〈p〉The unique physical properties of buckminsterfullerene, C〈sub〉60〈/sub〉, have attracted intense research activity since its original discovery. Total quantum state–resolved spectroscopy of isolated C〈sub〉60〈/sub〉 molecules has been of particularly long-standing interest. Such observations have, to date, been unsuccessful owing to the difficulty in preparing cold, gas-phase C〈sub〉60〈/sub〉 in sufficiently high densities. Here we report high-resolution infrared absorption spectroscopy of C〈sub〉60〈/sub〉 in the 8.5-micron spectral region (1180 to 1190 wave number). A combination of cryogenic buffer-gas cooling and cavity-enhanced direct frequency comb spectroscopy has enabled the observation of quantum state–resolved rovibrational transitions. Characteristic nuclear spin statistical intensity patterns confirm the indistinguishability of the 60 carbon-12 atoms, while rovibrational fine structure encodes further details of the molecule’s rare icosahedral symmetry.〈/p〉
Print ISSN:
0036-8075
Electronic ISSN:
1095-9203
Topics:
Biology
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Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Computer Science
,
Medicine
,
Natural Sciences in General
,
Physics
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