Radial distribution function ofC60: Structure of fullerene

The structure of ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$, fullerene clusters in the solid state has been obtained by a radial distribution function (rdf) determination. Neutron-diffraction measurements extending to Q values of 45 Å ${}_{}{}^{\mathrm{-}1}{}_{}{}^{}$ yield rdf with thirteen distinct features at 300 K. This corresponds to the predicted number of groups of distances for the truncated icosohedral structure with thermal broadening. A comparison of the rdf with those predicted from other studies, as well as modeling, indicate important differences and provide an improved estimate of double- and single-bond distances.