Radiative energy loss from hot C60 molecules

Radiative energy-loss rates from isolated molecules of C-60 are examined by using both measured oscillator strengths and modified black-body models. At energies where radiative cooling might compete with dissociation, we find that vibrational emission is negligible in comparison with the dominant electronic emission. We also find that a black-body model in its usual form greatly overestimates the radiative energy-loss rate. When more completely implemented, it draws upon precisely the same information and becomes identical with an oscillator treatment, and so has no contribution to make in estimating radiative energy losses. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.