Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Low-Energy C_(60) in Collision with a Graphite (0001) Surface

The collision of C_(60) with a graphite(0001)surface has been investigated by molecular dynamics simulation with TLHL potential.At an impact energy of 90eV,the C_(60) buckyball first deformed to a disc-like structure and then transformed back to its original shape and recoiled slowly.No dissociation of the C_(60) was observed on the time scale of the simulation.Unlike a single-atom-surface collision,the C_(60)-surface interaction is a highly inelastic process.