Fullerenes in Space

Abstract

In 1985 the football structure of C , buckminsterfullerene was proposed and subsequently confirmed following its macroscopic synthesis in 1990. From the very beginning the role of C and C in space was considered, particularly in the context of the enigmatic diffuse interstellar bands. These are absorption features found in the spectra of reddened star light. The first astronomical observations were made around one hundred years ago and despite significant efforts none of the interstellar molecules responsible have been identified. The absorption spectrum of C was measured in a 5 K neon matrix in 1993 and two prominent bands near 9583 Å and 9645 Å were observed. On the basis of this data the likely wavelength range in which the gas phase C absorptions should lie was predicted. In 1994 two diffuse interstellar bands were found in this spectral region and proposed to be due to C . It took over 20 years to measure the absorption spectrum of C under conditions similar to those prevailing in diffuse clouds. In 2015, sophisticated laboratory experiments led to the confirmation that these two interstellar bands are indeed caused by C , providing the first answer to this century old puzzle. Here, we describe the experiments, concepts and astronomical observations that led to the detection of C in interstellar space.

Far‐UV‐Excited Luminescence of Nitrogen‐Vacancy Centers: Evidence for Diamonds in Space

“…With this simple model, one can attribute the weakness of the ERE bands at λ >900 nm to the low PL quantum yield ( Φ =1.4 %) of the V 0 centers even at low temperature (Table S1). No evidence has yet been found for the association of ERE with molecular ions like C 60 + , which shows a prominent absorption band at 957.7 nm …”

Infrared spectroscopy of cold trapped molecular ions using He‐tagging

“…In the following section, we briefly describe the long way to attach He to C 60 + and present some very recent IR spectra for fullerenes . The importance of the results from the Basel 22‐pole instrument for astrochemistry and the assignment of the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) has been reviewed and discussed several times . The instrument “ISORI,” in Prague, already mentioned above, is very versatile, efficient, and productive.…”

“…A summary of various schemes to obtain gas‐phase electronic spectra for astrophysics can be found in ref. .…”

[60]Fullerene‐Based Macrocycle Ligands

“…Metal complexes of such ligands may act as photocatalysts for chemical reactions and as photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy. Fullerenes in space have been well studied . Given the exotic conditions in space, it would not be surprising to find heteroatoms‐doped fullerenes, fullerene‐based macrocycles and their metal complexes in the stars containing C 60 .…”