We present a joint theoretical and experimental investigation of the absorption spectra of silver clusters Ag n ͑4 Յ n Յ 22͒. The experimental spectra of clusters isolated in an Ar matrix are compared with the calculated ones in the framework of the time-dependent density functional theory. The analysis of the molecular transitions indicates that the s-electrons are responsible for the optical response of small clusters ͑n Յ 8͒ while the d-electrons play a crucial role in the optical excitations for larger n values.
We describe a new UV-Vis absorption setup designed to measure with improved sensitivity the absorption spectra of size-selected small metal clusters embedded in rare gas matrices. We aim at studying the electronic structure of clusters of different materials and their interaction with the matrix. The design, construction, and performance of the setup are discussed and demonstrated on the absorption spectrum of Ag 1 in argon. The absorption spectra for the two least abundant silver cluster ions produced by our cluster source in the size range of 1-39 atoms/cluster, namely, Ag 6 and Ag 10 , are reported. A sensitivity increase of about 20 is demonstrated.
We report absorption spectra for Ag 7 , Ag 9 , and Ag 11 in an argon matrix grown at a temperature of 28 K and compare them with previous spectra of the same species measured in matrices of argon grown at lower temperatures as well as in neon matrices. We discuss the discrepancies in the light of the matrix crystallinity and show that this leads to an understanding of the influence of the matrix on the optical response of small clusters.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.