C60 Resonant Charge Transfer Through the Formation of Temporary Quasi-molecules

Charge transfer’s many applications have caused the topic to be very well studied and well understood in atom-ion collisions. In these systems, the dynamics of the electrons are of critical importance to charge transfer reactions. In collisions involving more complex targets, such as fullerenes, the dynamics of the collisions and possible chemical reactions become important as well. The model of charge transfer that we will present takes into consideration the temporary bonds that form between colliding fullerenes. These two colliding fullerenes temporarily create “dumbbell shaped” quasi-molecules which allow for a more efficient transfer of the charge. Our model is in good agreement with experimental data and is the first model that, to our knowledge, accurately explains the large scattering angle cross section for C₆₀ resonant charge transfer­.