Assignment of the near-UV absorption spectrum of C60

The absorption spectrum of C 60 embedded in Ne matrices in the 410–360 nm region is revisited. A complete assignment of the absorption lines therein is proposed in terms of transitions to the ungerade states 1 1 G u , 1 1 T 1u and 2 1 T 1u states, with progressions of Jahn–Teller h g modes and of the totally symmetric a g modes. We also identify a new progression at λ= 375 nm, which we attribute to the transition to a state of G u character and its h g and g g Jahn–Teller modes. Its pure electronic origin is at ∼26700 cm –1 .