Diffraction of slow photoelectrons by C60 fullerene cage

Diffraction of slow electrons emitted in the near-threshold 1s photoionization of a Li atom located outside a C60 molecule has been investigated as a function of the distance of the Li atom from the C60. It is found that, as in the case of the atom located inside the C60, the photoelectron angular distribution is significantly distorted by the C60 and is especially pronounced when the polarization vector of the radiation is along the line connecting the nucleus of the ionized atom with the geometrical center of the C60. The effects of the C60 extend to surprisingly large distances.