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Electron emission from nanometer-size metallic clusters: Electronic states and structural stability of supported Au clusters

Conference ·
OSTI ID:10185455
Techniques developed to measure the thermodynamic and electronic properties of a single metallic cluster with nanometer-size dimensions are described. Using these techniques, experiments that resolve the quantized energy spectrum of electrons in a nanometer-size cluster of metallic atoms at room temperature have been performed. Studies on the stability of the electron emission current from an individual nanometer-size cluster supported on a tungsten tip have been performed to learn more about the intrinsic stability of these nanometer-size objects. The data show abrupt jumps between different emission states that are revisited as time progresses. This phenomenon is attributed to a rearrangement of the duster structure and/or orientation on the substrate and provides new evidence of multiple `isomeric` structures for small clusters of metallic atoms.
Research Organization:
Purdue Univ., Lafayette, IN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-84ER45162
OSTI ID:
10185455
Report Number(s):
CONF-9207218--1; ON: DE93040184
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English