Optical response of cesium coated C60

Photoabsorption spectra are reported for Cs _n ⁺ and C₆₀Cs_n ⁺ + clusters for n=40, 60, 120 and 310. The spectra were obtained by heating the mass selected clusters in a beam by means of photoabsorption until they evaporated metal atoms. The resulting mass loss was observed in a time-of-flight mass spectometer. The plasmon-like resonance in pure Cs clusters shifts to lower energies with decreasing cluster size. The collective electronic excitations in clusters containing C₆₀ are split in energy as would be expected for fullerene molecules coated with layers of metal.     

On the nature of bulk and surface excitations in Argon clusters

Absorption spectra of Ar clusters containing between 10 and 10⁶ atoms are dominated by strong transitions into bulk and surface states. The intensity variation of bulk and surface excitations is analyzed within a model, which divides the cluster into a surface layer and into an interior part. The thickness of the surface layer is determined by the intensity ratio of bulk and surface excitations. For then=2, 2′ excitons a reasonable value ranging between the radius of then=2 exciton and the nearest neighbour distance is obtained. In case of then=1 excitons the thickness of the surface layer is much smaller than the nearest-neighbour distance indicating that then=1 surface excitons might be interpreted as excitations of atoms on the cluster surface.     

Observable Structures of Small Neutral and Anionic Gold Clusters

Since gold clusters have mostly been studied theoretically by using DFT calculations, more accurate studies are of importance. Thus, small neutral and anionic gold clusters (Au_n and Au_n^?, n=4–7) were investigated by means of coupled cluster with singles, doubles, and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)] calculations with large basis sets, and some differences between DFT and CCSD(T) results are discussed. Interesting isomeric structures that have dangling atoms were obtained. Structures having dangling atoms appear to be stable up to n=4 for neutral gold clusters and up to n=7 for anionic clusters. The relative stabilities and electronic properties of some isomers and major structures are discussed on the basis of the CCSD(T) calculations. This accurate structure prediction of small gold clusters corresponding to experimental photoelectron spectral peaks is valuable in the field of atom‐scale materials science including nanocatalysts.     

Spectroscopy of alkali atoms (Li,Na, K) attached to large helium clusters

Large liquid helium clusters (He_n, n ≈ 10⁴) produced in a supersonic jet are doped with alkali atoms (Li, Na, K) and characterized by means of laser induced fluorescence. Each cluster contains, on average, less than one dopant atom. Both excitation and emission spectra have been recorded. The observed excitation spectra are analyzed, calculating the transitions within an approach based on the hypothesis that the chromophores are trapped in a dimple on the cluster’s surface as predicted by the theoretical calculations of Ancilotto et al. [9]. The results of the model calculations are in good qualitative agreement with the experimental findings. In spite of the very weak binding energy (a few cm^?1), some of the excited atoms remain bound to the surface, provided the excitation occurs at frequencies not too far from the alkali’s gas phase absorptions. These bound-bound excitations produce very broad, red shifted emission spectra. At other, blue shifted frequencies, the excited atoms desorb from the cluster’s surface, giving rise to unshifted, free atom, emission spectra. The heavier alkali metals (Na, K) show, compared to the calculations, an additional broadening which is attributed to surface excitations on the helium droplet.     

Laser photoionization and spectroscopy of gas phase silver clusters

Silver clusters containing up to 40–50 atoms are produced by laser vaporization in a pulsed-nozzle molecular beam source and studied with laser photoionization mass spectroscopy. A variety of Nd:YAG pumped dye laser and UV excimer laser wavelengths are used to achieve ionization. Ionization dynamics are studied by varying the laser wavelength and fluence. Bracketing experiments under single-photon ionization conditions are used to estimate ionization potentials as a function of cluster size. An even-odd ionization potential alternation is observed with odd-numbered clusters (N=3, 5, 7 ...) having lower ionization potentials than adjacent even-numbered species. Shell closings at clusters containing 2, 8 20 and 40 electrons are observed consistent with a one-electron shell model picture of cluster electronic structure. Resonance-enhanced ionization produces a vibrationally resolved spectrum for the trimer, Ag₃, yielding an electronic state assignment and excited state vibrational frequencies. Fragmentation in dimer ionization via theE state at 249 nm establishes the dissociation energy of Ag ₂ ⁺ to be <2.1 eV.     

Dipole polarizabilities of germanium clusters

Dipole polarizabilities of Ge_n clusters with 2–25 atoms are calculated using finite field (FF) method within density functional theory. The dipole moments and polarizabilities of clusters are sensitively dependent on the cluster geometries and electronic structures. The clusters with low symmetry and large HOMO–LUMO gap prefer to large dipole moments. The polarizabilities of the Ge_n clusters increase rapidly in the size range of 2–5 atoms and then fluctuate around the bulk value. The larger HOMO–LUMO gap may lead to smaller polarizability. As compared with the compact structure and diamond structure, the prolate cluster structure corresponds to a larger polarizability.     

Photoabsorption of Fe,Co, and Ni atoms embedded in Al-clusters near 3p-ionization threshold of impurity

Photoionization cross sections of Fe, Co, and Ni atoms inside Al jellium-clusters (containing up to 90 atoms) in the energy range near the 3p ionization threshold of the impurity atom are calculated using the time-dependent local spin-density approximation. The spectra are dominated by resonances and depend markedly on the cluster size. It is obtained that the resonances have an autoionization character and are caused by the interference between discrete electronic transitions from the 3p shell of the impurity atom to unfilled d shells of the jellium-cluster and ionization excitations ofd electrons. For comparison, within the same approach, photoionization cross sections of atomic Fe, Co, and Ni are computed.     

Atomic and electronic structure of Na10K10Cs n clusters

Density functional theory is used to study the atomic and electronic structures of Na₁₀K₁₀Cs _n clusters with up to sixty atoms. The simplifying approximation has been made of replacing the external potential of the ionic background by its spherical average about the cluster centre in the iterative process of solving the Kohn-Sham equations for each geometry tested. The search for the equilibrium geometry is performed by employing the technique of simulated annealing. We have always found segregation of Cs atoms to the surface as well as a rather neat separation of different species in different (radial) regions of the cluster. This layering effect appears to be consistent with a tendency to maximize electronegativity differences. When the cluster is big enough, Cs atoms begin to appear also inside the cluster. Those geometrical effects do not perturb the electronic magic numbers well known for pure alkali metal clusters.     

Magnetic properties and EPR spectroscopy of molecular metal clusters

The magnetic properties of molecular metal cluster compounds resemble those of small metal particles in the metametallic size regime. Even-electron metal carbonyl clusters with 10 or more metal atoms are paramagnetic, because their frontier orbital separations of less than 1 eV lead to high-spin electronic configurations. The rhodium cluster [Rh₁₇S₂(CO)₃₂]^3? gives EPR below 200 K withg=2.04, the first example of this type of paramagnetism in an even-electron carbonyl cluster of this 4d metal. Its spectral parameters are compared with those of osmium carbonyl clusters and some significant differences highlighted. Attempts have also been made to generate radical cations from lower-nuclearity, diamagnetic molecular clusters such as Rh₆(CO)₁₆ by chemical oxidation in sulphuric acid. An EPR active species (g=2.09) believed to be [Rh₆(CO)₁₆]⁺ has been obtained.     

Molecular dynamics calculation of half-lives for thermal decay of Lennard-Jones clusters

Molecular dynamics has been used with a Lennard-Jones (6–12) potential in order to study the decay behavior of neutral Argon clusters containing between 12 and 14 atoms. The clusters were heated to temperatures well above their melting points and then tracked in time via molecular dynamics until evaporation of one or more atoms was observed. In each simulation, the mode of evaporation, energy released during evaporation, and cluster lifetime were recorded. Results from roughly 2000 simulation histories were combined in order to compute statistically significant values of cluster half-lives and decay energies. It was found that cluster half-life decreases with increasing energy and that for a given value of excess energy (defined asE=(E _tot ?E _gnd)/n), the 13 atom cluster is more stable against decay than clusters containing either 12 or 14 atoms. The dominant decay mechanism for all clusters was determined to be single atom emission.     

General properties of the electronic structure of alkali metal clusters and Ia-IIa mixed clusters

The results of the systematic ab-initio CI investigation of neutral and charged Li _n , Na _n , BeLi _k and MgNa _k clusters are summarized and analyzed. The general characteristic features of the electronic structure are pointed out:a) The participation of the atomic orbitals, which are empty in Ia and IIa metal atoms, allows for a higher valency of these atoms in clusters.b) Jahn-Teller and pseudo-Jahn-Teller effects strongly influence the electronic and geometric structure of clusters.c) Deformations of cluster geometry can lead to biradicaloid structures with higher spin multiplicity in their ground states.d) The peculiarities of the electronic structures of clusters can be deduced from the presence of many “surface” atoms. The theoretical results agree with experimental data presently available and they are useful for interpretation of the experimental findings.     

Multiple ionization and Coulomb explosion of mercury clusters in femtosecond laser fields

We report on studies of multiple ionization and fragmentation of free Hg_n (n ≤ 80) clusters in the femtosecond time domain at wavelengths ranging from 255 nm to 800 nm. After excitation by single laser pulses of an intensity of 5 * 10¹¹ W/cm² we observe prompt formation of multiply charged Hg_n clusters. The Hg_n cluster size distribution observed up to n ≈ 80 shows in additon to singly charged also doubly and triply charged clusters with a surprisingly high amount of doubly charged clusters. The measured cluster size distribution is nearly independent of laser wavelengths. For higher laser intensities (2 * 10¹² W/cm²) we observe multiply charged mercury atoms up to Hg⁵⁺. At 10¹³ W/cm² molecules and clusters eventually disappear due to Coulomb explosion and complete Fragmentation. Only atomic ions, singly and multiply charged, with high kinetic energies are then observed.     

Spatial structure and electronic spectrum of TiSi n − clusters (n = 6–18)

Results from optimizing the spatial structure and calculated electronic spectra of anion clusters TiSi _n ^? (n = 6–18) are presented. Calculations are performed within the density functional theory. Spatial structures of clusters detected experimentally are established by comparing the calculated and experimental data. It is shown that prismatic and fullerene-like structures are the ones most energetically favorable for clusters TiSi _n ^? . It is concluded that these structures are basic when building clusters with close numbers of silicon atoms.     

Chlorine-passivated superatom Al<Subscript>37</Subscript> clusters for nonlinear optics

Utilizing a facile top-down synthetic procedure, here we report the finding of a chlorine-passivated Al₃₇ superatom cluster. It is demonstrated that the presence of electrophilic groups, severing as protecting ligands, alters the valence electron count of the metallic core and stabilize the as-prepared aluminum clusters especially when even-numbered chlorine atoms are located at equilibrium positions. Following the discussion regarding their reasonable stabilities, we illustrate the feasible reaction pathways in forming such chlorine-passivated Al₃₇ superatom clusters which bear delocalized superatomic orbitals with five valence 3P⁵ electrons shifting to the chlorine ligands indicative of a closed electron shell 2F¹⁴ of the metal core. The successful synthesis of such chlorine-protected aluminum clusters evidences the compatibility of general theory of cluster chemistry in both gas phase and wet chemistry. Such simple-ligand-protected aluminum clusters exhibit reverse-saturated-absorption (RSA) nonlinear optical property pertaining to electronic transitions within the discrete energy states of cluster materials.     

Structural and electronic properties of compound metal clusters

The equilibrium geometries, relative stabilities, and vertical ionization potentials of compound clusters involving Li _n , Na, Mg, and Al atoms have been calculated using ab initio self-consistent field linear combination of atomic orbitals — molecular orbital (SCF-LCAO-MO) method. The exchange energies are calculated exactly using the unrestricted Hartree-Fock (UHF) method whereas the correlation correction is included within the framework of configuration interaction involving pair excitations of valence electrons. While the later correction has no significant effect on the equilibrium geometries of clusters, it is essential for the understanding of relative stabilities. Clusters with even numbers of electrons are found to be more stable than those with odd numbers of electrons regardless of their charge state and atomic composition. The equilibrium geometries of homo-nuclear clusters can be significantly altered by replacing one of its constituent atoms with a hetero-nuclear atom. The role of electronic structure on the geometries and stabilities of compound clusters is discussed.     

Electronic shells and shells of atoms in metallic clusters

Intensity anomalies (magic numbers) have been observed in the mass spectra of sodium clusters containing up to 22 000 atoms. For small clusters (Na _n ,n≤1500) the anomalies appear to be due to the filling of electronic shells (groups of subshells having the same energy). The shells can be characterized rather well by a pseudoquantum-number, indicating the possible existence of a symmetry higher than spherical. The mass spectra of larger clusters (1500≤n≤22 000) are well explained by the completion of icosahedral or cuboctahedral shells of atoms. The fact that the two types of shells (electron and atom) occur in distinct and non-overlapping size intervals might indicate the existence of a “liquid” to “solid” transition in going from small to large clusters.     

Stability and structure of singly-charged xenon-argon clusters [Xe1Arn−1]+,n=3–27

Monte-Carlo calculations have been performed for positively charged xenon-argon clusters in the temperature range between 10K and 40K for cluster sizes up ton=27. The argon-argon interaction potential stems from empirical data, the Xe⁺-Ar potential is determined by ab initio MRD-CI calculations and a semi-empirical treatment of spin-orbit effects. Special stability is found for cluster sizesn=10, 13, 19 and less pronounced forn=23 and 25 fairly independent of the temperature. The geometrical structure of the clusters are given and the construction principle is discussed in light of the interactions among neutral argon atoms and the xenon ion — argon interaction. Comparison with measured mass spectra for mixed rare-gas clusters and [Xe_n]⁺ clusters is made and shows a consistent picture for the building principle.     

Theoretical study of aromaticity in inorganic tetramer clusters

Ground state geometry and electronic structure of M ₄ ^2- cluster (M = B, Al, Ga) have been investigated to evaluate their aromatic properties. The calculations are performed by employing the Density Functional Theory (DFT) method. It is found that all these three clusters adopt square planar configuration. Results reveal that square planar M ₄ ^2- dianion exhibits characteristics of multifold aromaticity with two delocalised π-electrons. In spite of the unstable nature of these dianionic clusters in the gas phase, their interaction with the sodium atoms forms very stable dipyramidal M₄Na₂ complexes while maintaining their square planar structure and aromaticity.     

Partial photoionization cross sections of large mercury clusters and liquid mercury in the vacuum ultraviolet photon energy region

Photoelectron spectra for neutral mercury clusters (up to a size of 109 atoms) and liquid mercury have been recorded for several different photon energies between 7.1 eV and 10.6 eV. For both large mercury clusters (Hg _x ,x≥60) and liquid mercury a strong increase of the partial photoionization cross sections near threshold with decreasing photon energy is observed. This shows clearly that the local electronic structure of large mercury clusters is very similar to the electronic structure of the metallic bulk material.     

Electronic structure of deposited monosized metal-clusters

Monosized Pt- and Au-clusters deposited on silica substrates are analyzed by photoelectron spectroscopy. The 4f-core-level energies and the valence electronic states depend on the cluster size and on the element. Au shows more uniform behavior for cluster sizes between 1 and 7 atoms than Pt does. Both materials are not yet metallic for clusters containing only a few atoms.