Optical Spectra of Fullerenes: C₆₀ a new amorphous semiconductor?

Abstract

The optical absorption spectra for thin films of sublimed C₆₀ and C₇₀ are presented. Both transmission spectroscopy and photothermal deflection spectroscopy are used to obtain the spectrum over a wide energy range (0.4 to 6.2 eV) for the same film. The optical gap varies for the different fullerenes. The value for C₆₀ is ∼ 1.6 eV and the corresponding transition appears to be optically forbidden given the weakness of the absorption. Structure is observed on the “gap edge” which can be attributed to vibronic transitions. The gap region can be described in terms used for amorphous semiconductors, having features such as an Urbach edge, and sub-gap defect absorption. The similarity suggests that the nature of fullerene thin films may be analogous to amorphous silicon and carbon films. These films have both a molecular and an amorphous semiconductor nature.