Existence of persistent photoconductivity at high temperatures inC60

We have observed a persistent photoconductivity effect (PPC) in ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ thin films at the record high temperature of 260 °C. ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ is the first noncompound semiconductor known to exhibit the effect well above room temperature. Our available data seem to rule out macroscopic potential barriers as a possible origin for PPC in ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$. The effect may, instead, be associated with the distortions that the ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ molecule experiences in the presence of localized charge.