Size and Shape Dependent Photoluminescence Properties of Diamondoids and Cyclohexane

This application note presents photoluminescence spectra of a new class of carbon nanocrystals called diamondoids, and of cyclohexane. For this study, specific isomers of the five smallest members of these perfectly size and shape selectable molecular diamonds were brought in to the gas phase and irradiated with synchrotron radiation. All the investigated compounds show intrinsic photoluminescence in the ultra violet spectral region. The spectra are dominated by vibrational fine structure and the origin of these progressions is discussed with the assistance of quantum chemical calculations.