ELECTRON-IMPACT ON FREE C-60 - EXCITED-STATES BELOW 10 EV

Electron energy loss spectra have been performed on C60 vapour, both a t very low (E(r)=0), and at intermediate residual energies (up to E(r) =70 eV), along with an angular analysis of the scattered electrons. Be sides the two strong bands at 3.78 and 4.84 eV, due to dipole-allowed transitions to 1T1u states, and the pi-pi collective excitation at 6. 1 eV, we have observed a band peaking at 2.26 eV, dominant at low resi dual energies, corresponding to superimposed transitions to triplet st ates, and dipole orbitally forbidden states. A new peak, likely to be of triplet character is observed at 2.96 eV. In contrast with similar studies on C60 films, we have not found any evidence of the lowest tri plet state 3T2g at 1.55 eV.