Photoionization and photofragmentation of singly charged positive and negative Sc3N@C80 endohedral fullerene ions

Photoprocesses of the endohedral fullerene ions Sc3N@C-80(+) and Sc3N@C-80(-) in the gas phase have been experimentally investigated with emphasis on the specific effects of the encapsulated trimetallic nitride cluster Sc3N on the observed reaction yields. Clear evidence of photoexcitation near the Sc L edge is obtained with the dominating contributions visible in the one- and two-electron-removal channels. The experiments are accompanied by model calculations employing density functional theory (DFT).