Low-energy electron capture by free C60 and the importance of polarization interaction

Cross-sections for slow electron capture by neutral C60 have been measured by beam-depletion spectroscopy in the 0–3 eV energy range. The data confirm the existence of a very strong low-energy attachment peak. The general trend of the cross-section curve follows that of the Langevin mechanism of electron capture by the long-range polarization field of the fullerene. The sticking probability of an attracted electron is less than unity and displays an energy-dependent structure, reflecting an interplay between the effects of particle symmetry, size, and polarization.