->> Buckyballs were well after I got my Chem degree in '67, and

 DW> That's three years more recent than when I got mine.

->> I've been in IT since.  But from what I understand, modelling
->> this as a "super benzene ring", it wouldn't be
"charged"--it's
->> an organic molecule.  There are molecular orbitals similar to
->> atomic orbitals, though their energy levels aren't nearly as
->> precise--which is why dyes radiate/absorb over wide bands. I'd
->> say the electrons can do the QM jump between orbitals and
->> radiate, but I'm not sure I'd consider that a moving charge.

 DW> If buckyballs behave like huge "aromatic" molecules, then
 DW> there are large numbers of electrons (one per carbon atom, I
 DW> think) that can roam fairly freely over the surface of the
 DW> ball, occupying an equal number of almost-degenerate orbitals
 DW> that are formed from the overlapping "p" orbitals of the
 DW> atoms. These delocalized electrons could vibrate around the
 DW> ball, forming standing-waves of charge on the surface. As
 DW> these waves change, radiation would be absorbed or emitted.

 DW> I think....

I think ... that's right.

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