An empirical many-body potential energy function constructed from pair-interactions

A new empirical potential energy function (PEF) is proposed, which is formed from pair-interactions only, and containes the many-body contributions. The PEF satisfies bulk cohesive energy and bulk stability condition. The PEF is parameterized for copper, silver, and gold elements in fcc crystal structure. The elastic constantsC ₁₁ andC ₁₂ and the bulk modulus of the elements are calculated, and the structural stability and energetics of microclusters containing 3 to 7 atoms of the same elements are investigated.