CONTINUUM APPROXIMATION TO FULLERENE MOLECULES

The electronic and elastic properties of large fullerene molecules are studied. The low-lying electronic levels are described by the Dirac equations in (2+1) dimensions, and the intramolecular modes are given by the theory of elasticity. Coupling between electrons and phonons can also be written in a simple way. The quantum dynamics of the ions is modified by the appearance of nontrivial Berry's phases. The qualitative features of fullerenes with elliptical and cylindrical geometries, and minimal surfaces with negative curvature are also studied.