Synthesis and Spectroscopy of Buckminsterfullerene Cation C60+ in a Cryogenic Ion Trapping Instrument

The assignment of several diffuse interstellar bands in the near-infrared to C60+ ions present at high abundance space has renewed interest astrochemical importance fullerenes and analogues. Many latter have not been produced macroscopic quantities, their spectroscopic properties are available for comparison with astronomical observations. An apparatus constructed that combines laser vaporisation synthesis characterisation low temperature a cryogenic trap. This instrument is used here record electronic absorptions by graphite. These detected (helium tagged) messenger spectroscopy By spectra obtained using sublimed sample Buckminsterfullerene, observed data show this isomer dominant structure tagged helium m/z=724, indicating adopted approach can be access other derivatives interest.