Ultraviolet photoelectron spectra of C100, C110, and potassium-doped C110

Abstract
Ultraviolet photoelectron spectra of higher fullerenes C100 and C110 have been measured with a synchrotron radiation light source. The photoelectron onset energy of pristine C110 is 0.75 eV below the Fermi level (EF), which is the smallest value among the pristine fullerenes reported so far. The spectra show intensity oscillation upon the incident photon energy change, as do those of other fullerenes. A spectral change upon potassium doping has been observed with hν=20 and 40 eV incident photon energies. The appearance of a state between the first band of higher fullerenes and the Fermi level is observed in the hν=20eV spectra upon potassium doping. The onset position of the new state moves toward the EF. In the case of the potassium doping of C110, the spectral onset begins just at the EF, which indicates its possibility of semimetallic nature. When C110 is heavily doped with potassium the lower binding energy bands above 5 eV become faint, and three structures simultaneously appear between 5 and 14 eV and become distinct. As these structures are considered to be of σ-electron origin, heavy potassium doping may correspond to reconstruction of the fullerene cage or decomposition of the cage structure.