DIFFRACTION OF FAST ELECTRONS ON THE FULLERENE C-60 MOLECULE

In this paper we present results of experimental and theoretical studi es of both elastic and inelastic scattering of fast electrons on the f ullerene C-60 in the gas phase. We report the first experimental obser vation of the electron diffraction on C-60, manifesting itself in both elastic and inelastic scattering processes. Diffraction patterns of t he cross sections carry important information about the characteristic s of the target fullerene, such as its size, distribution of the charg e density near the cluster surface, frequencies of plasmon resonance e xcitations, etc. [S0031-9007(98)06890-2].