The chemistry, optical properties, and femtosecond electron dynamics of gold nanoshells are described. The gold nanoshells consist of Au-coated Au$\sb2$S nanoparticles prepared via aqueous phase chemistry using HAuCl$\sb4$ and Na$\sb2$S. During the course of the reaction, the plasmon-related absorption peak first shifts from $\sim$650 nm out to ...

A method is described which utilizes the difference in vapor pressure between C$\sb{60}$ and heavier fullerenes to produce C$\sb{60}$ powder with a purity of 99.97%. Using the material from this process allows for the growth of high purity polycrystalline C$\sb{60}$ thin films. These films are characterized using Raman spectroscopy and temperature ...