Thermal electron emission from the hot electronic subsystem of vibrationally cold C60

We compare theoretical results on statistical electron emission from electronically hot but vibrationally cold C-60 with recent experimental results involving excitation with ultrashort laser pulses. Both photoelectron spectra and ion yields of C-60 as well as fragment ions are compared with the predictions of the statistical electron emission model. Quantitative agreement is obtained between the calculations and the experimentally measured photoelectron spectra, total ion yields and singly-doubly charged branching ratio. The electron-phonon coupling time is fitted to a few hundred femtoseconds, consistent with independent measurements. The data allow a determination of the thermal properties of the electron system, which are consistent with the theoretical input. The data also allow a fit of the averaged photon absorption cross section. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.