2026-09-23T18:07:46Zhttps://repository.rice.edu/server/oai/request

oai:repository.rice.edu:1911/140972024-01-11T20:57:04Zcom_1911_8299col_1911_13110

Dunning, F. B. Finch, Carla D. 2009-06-04T00:15:57Z 2009-06-04T00:15:57Z 1996 Finch, Carla D.. "Low energy electron attachment to buckminsterfullerene in Rydberg atom-buckminsterfullerene collisions." (1996) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/14097">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/14097</a>. https://hdl.handle.net/1911/14097 THESIS PHYS. 1996 FINCH $C\sb{60}\sp-$ ion formation has been observed in collisions between K(np) Rydberg atoms with principal quantum numbers $\rm35\leq n\leq125,$ which corresponds to electrons with mean energies in the range $\sim$2 meV to $\sim$170 $\mu$eV, and $C\sb{60}$ molecules. This results from Rydberg electron transfer and has permitted study of the low energy electron attachment properties of Buckminsterfullerene, which is known to capture free electrons with energies up to $\sim$12 eV. Present data agree with a previous Rydberg atom study but disagree with theoretical predictions and also with previous free electron-$C\sb{60}$ studies. Results from both theory and the free electron experiments suggest that a potential barrier of $\sim$240 meV exists for electron capture by $C\sb{60},$ preventing electron capture at very low energies. The present data are compared with previous experiments and with theory, and possible explanations for the observed discrepancy, including evidence for an image-charge-bound state of $C\sb{60},$ are discussed. 58 p. application/pdf eng Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder. Atomic physics Molecular physics Low energy electron attachment to buckminsterfullerene in Rydberg atom-buckminsterfullerene collisions Thesis Text Physics Natural Sciences Rice University Masters Master of Science open.access