Broadband electroluminescent emission from fullerene crystals

The observation of electroluminescence from crystalline fullerenes is described and discussed for the first time. Using gold and aluminium electrodes as contacts, a broad band emission spectrum, extending from 400 nm to 1100 nm is observed. The spectrum has a primary maximum at 920 nm and a weaker feature centered on 420 nm. The spectral characteristics are independent of the applied field and the longer wavelength region is identical to that measured in the high excitation density photoluminescence spectrum. In addition, the electroluminescent output intensity increases with the cube of the injection current, strengthening the association to the nonlinear phenomena observed in the highly excited state of fullerenes.