# Near-IR Photoluminescence of C60+ and Implications for Astronomy

## TL;DR

This study demonstrates near-IR photoluminescence from C60+ ions in cryogenic conditions, suggesting potential for astronomical detection of fullerenes through their emission features, complementing known absorption bands.

## Contribution

It provides the first evidence of near-IR photoluminescence from C60+ ions and proposes using this emission for astronomical observations of fullerenes.

## Key findings

- C60+ ions exhibit near-IR photoluminescence in cryogenic matrices.
- UV excitation does not produce measurable luminescence.
- Potential for detecting C60+ in space via near-IR emission.

## Abstract

We have observed that C$_{60}^+$ ions isolated in cryogenic matrixes show pronounced near-IR photoluminescence upon excitation in the near-IR range. By contrast UV photoexcitation does not lead to measurable luminescence. After the recent unequivocal assignment of five Diffuse Interstellar Bands to near-IR absorption bands of C$_{60}^+$, we propose to search also for C$_{60}^+$ near-IR emission in those astronomical objects, where fullerenes have been already detected or may be potentially present.