Decomposition of C₇₀ and C₆₀ Under Laser Irradiation Monitored by Raman Spectroscopy

The degradation of C₆₀ in organic solution by light has been reported by Taylor et al. Nature, 351 (1991)277. The powders of the mixture of C₆₀ and C₇₀ prepared by arc heating ofgraphite electrodes in the environment of He gas was not to be stable with respect to intense irradiation of argon laser (488.0nm), as monitored by Raman spectrascopy, C₇₀ is found to be first decomposed into fragmentary graphite, then C₆₀ followed suit. It is interesting to note that besides graphite, some traces of diamond-like structure are shown confirming some speculations of Mackay Nature, 352 (1991) 762