The 4d-4f dipole resonance of the Pr atom in an endohedral metallofullerene, Pr@C₈₂

The photoion yield spectra of an endohedral metallofullerene Pr@C₈₂ were measured in the photon energy range of 100-150 eV by using time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Parent ions Pr@C₈₂⁺, Pr@C₈₂²⁺ and Pr@C₈₂³⁺ were observed in the mass spectra. The photoion yield spectra of Pr@C₈₂²⁺ showed a broad peak at 120-140 eV that was assigned to the 4d-4f giant dipole resonance of the encapsulated Pr atoms. Absolute photoabsorption cross sections of Pr@C₈₂ were evaluated from the photoion yield spectra to be 37±12 Mb at 110 eV (off-resonance) and 52±13 Mb at 130 eV (on-resonance). These cross sections of Pr@C₈₂ were compared with the results of Ce@C₈₂, the only metallofullerene whose photoionization properties have ever been studied near the 4d edge of the encapsulated metal atom. The enhancement of photoabsorption due to the giant resonance was found to be similar in Pr@C₈₂ and Ce@C₈₂, but there are marked differences in the peak shapes, which can be explained as due to interference effects between the fullerene cage and the encapsulated metal atoms.