Bibcode
Iglesias-Groth, S.; Bretón, J.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.357, p.782-786 (2000)
Advertised on:
5
2000
Journal
Citations
17
Refereed citations
15
Description
Multishell fullerenes could be produced in the circumstellar envelopes
of rich carbon giants as proposed by Ugarte (1995) and could be carriers
of diffuse interstellar bands. Here, we investigate a potential way to
detect these molecules through the far infrared bands related to their
vibrational spectra. Based on a surface continuum spherical description
of the carbon shells, we have derived analytic expressions for their
interaction potential and determined the vibrational frequencies of
fullerenes in endohedral configurations. We find that their harmonic
frequencies of oscillation lie in the range 20-65 cm-1. The
associated bands could be observed with the spectroscopic facilities
planned for the Far Infrared and Submillimeter Telescope (FIRST)
providing a new way to confirm the existence of fullerenes in space.
Suitable astronomical targets to search for these molecules are their
likely sites of formation: carbon stars, post-AGB stars, protoplanetary
nebulae, and dusty regions in the Galaxy.