Abstract: We have developed a microscopic theory which describes the orientational dynamics of C60 molecules in the face-centered-cubic phase of C60 fullerite. The molecular interaction potential and the crystal-field potential are formulated in terms of symmetry-adapted rotator functions. The phase transition to the Pa3BAR structure is driven by an active multipolar mode of T2g symmetry belonging to the l = 10 manifold. The Birman criterion is satisfied. The transition is found to be of first order.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 7.512
Times cited: 94
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.68.2929