RESONANT 2-PHOTON IONIZATION SPECTROSCOPY OF C-60

The electronic absorption spectrum of C-60 has been measured using a c ontinuous gas phase source which is capable of cooling the molecules t o a vibrational temperature below ca. 100 K. The results are in good a greement with a previous high resolution gas phase spectrum reported f or the spectral range 595nm-630nm, obtained with a pulsed Smalley sour ce [1]. The spectral range down to 450nm is reported for the first tim e for a molecular beam expansion and is compared with published spectr a obtained in solution [2].