Angular momentum stability of small atomic clusters

The limits of stability of small atomic clusters with angular momentum are investigated as a function of the size and charge of the aggregates. Critical angular momenta are obtained in a di-cluster picture from the balance of a cohesive surface-surface interaction and the disruptive centrifugal and electric interactions. The calculation scheme incorporates the mass and charge asymmetry degrees of freedom and it is thus particularly suited to explore cluster-cluster reaction processes. Deformation of the fragments is taken into account.