Probing the Electronic Structure of Metal Clusters

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In this project in the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program in the Chemistry Division, Wang will investigate the physical and chemical properties of various metal-containing clusters prepared by laser evaporation from a supersonic cluster beam. This study will be done using a photoelectron spectrometer which Wang is developing which emphasizes high mass and high energy resolution, allowing him to study larger sized metal-containing clusters and negative ions than have been examined to date with high spectroscopic resolution. Four types of systems will be examined: the metal/nonmetal transition in atomic clusters of Be, Mg, and Zn, chemisorbed clusters on transition metal clusters, bimetallic clusters, and endohedral fullerenes. %%% Clusters containing up to several hundred atoms can be viewed as microscopic models for surfaces and catalysts, and their study will provide major insights into the macroscopic systems. It will also stimulate theoretical models with which one can predict chemical and catalytic properties of different species.