Infrared and Ultraviolet Spectra of Fulleranes: HREELS Studies and Implications for the Interstellar Medium

Abstract

The reaction of atomic hydrogen with few-layer buckminsterfullerene films deposited on silicon in ultrahigh vacuum produces fullerane mixtures, which are studied in situ by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy. The vibrational and electronic excitation spectra are measured and discussed. Their main features are compared to observational data, including the infrared emission from interstellar and circumstellar clouds and the interstellar extinction curve. Laboratory spectra show remarkable agreement with important features detected in the observational data, among others the so-called canonical interstellar spacing of infrared spectra and the single bump in the ultraviolet absorption spectra. These studies suggest that members of the buckminsterfullerane family may be the primary carriers of the unidentified spectral features seen in interstellar dust.