ABSORPTION-SPECTROSCOPY OF C-60 MOLECULES ISOLATED IN HELIUM DROPLETS

We have recorded the electronic absorption of cold C-60 molecules embe dded in helium droplets at a temperature of approximately 0.4 K, using a beam depletion technique. We obtain highly resolved spectra in the region between 595 and 650 nm and are able to observe in detail the or igin of the electronic transitions near 638 nm. In contrast to traditi onal matrix experiments the spectra show negligible shifts and little broadening. This remarkable feature could establish the technique as a n alternative for gas-phase spectroscopy. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B. V.