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Size-dependent melting temperature of individual nanometer-sized metallic clusters

Journal Article · · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (USA)
;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Department of Physics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (USA)
  2. School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (USA)
Gold and silver clusters with diameters in the nanometer-size range were grown in an inert-gas beam and deposited on the end of a tungsten field emitter. The field-emission current from an individual cluster is used to study a size-dependent change in shape of the cluster as a function of temperature. Three experimental signatures indicate an abrupt change in cluster shape at a temperature below the bulk melting point. This temperature is found to depend on cluster size and is in agreement with a thermodynamic model for cluster melting, provided the cluster diameter is greater than {approximately}2 nm.
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-84ER45116
OSTI ID:
6017693
Journal Information:
Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (USA) Vol. 42:13; ISSN PRBMD; ISSN 0163-1829
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English