  We report spectra of various benzene isotopomers and their dimers in helium
nanodroplets in the region of the first Herzberg-Teller allowed vibronic
transition 610 1B2u<-1A1g (the A00 transition) at ~260 nm. Excitation spectra
have been recorded using both beam depletion detection and laser-induced
fluorescence. Unlike for many larger aromatic molecules, the monomer spectra
consist of a single "zero-phonon" line, blueshifted by ~30 cm-1 from the gas
phase position. Rotational band simulations show that the moments of inertia of
C6H6 in the nanodroplets are at least 6 times larger than in the gas phase. The
dimer spectra present the same vibronic fine structure (though modestly
compressed) as previously observed in the gas phase. The fluorescence lifetime
and quantum yield of the dimer are found to be equal to those of the monomer,
implying substantial inhibition of excimer formation in the dimer in helium.
