In this project supported by the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Jackson will use crossed molecular beams to measure electron energy distributions from delayed ionization of fullerene metastable states as well as to study scattering between fullerenes and metastable atoms. Insight will be gathered on delayed ionization processes in clusters, large molecules, and systems of restricted size as well as on the formation of endohedral fullerenes, an important problem in physical as well as organic chemistry. Fullerenes comprise a class of chemical carbon compounds in which the locations of the carbon atoms define a nearly spherically shaped geodesic surface. The 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to the discoverers of this new form of elemental carbon. The generic term `fullerene` now commonly refers both to atomic clusters of carbon atoms located at the corners of pentagons and hexagons forming a closed surface as well as to tubular structures, irrespective of the actual numbers of composing atoms. Fullerenes are found to be unusually stable and, even though originally thought to be rare in nature, can actually be easily made. Due to the potential of technological applications, fullerenes are the subject of intense investigations of their physical, chemical, and material properties. Their chemical reactivities are not well understood and the purpose of this fundamental research project is to contribute to the knowledge base of these systems and thereby help in their eventual exploitation for technological applications.
