Electron Energy Loss Spectrum Near Carbon K-Edge in Solid C60

The carbon K-edge excitation spectra of solid C60 have been obtained using electron energy-loss spectroscopy. In the near-edge region, in addition to the π* and σ* resonance bands well known for graphite and amorphous carbon, a shoulder is found at 289 eV, suggesting the presence of a peak in the density of unoccupied π* states. Another feature discernible to the solid C60 is the width of the σ* resonance band; it is about 15 eV, which is an intermediate value between those for graphite and amorphous carbon.