Dynamics of cluster deposition on Ar surface

TL;DR

This study investigates how small Na clusters interact with an Ar surface using a combined quantum-classical approach, revealing the surface's shock-absorbing properties and energy transfer dynamics during deposition.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the deposition mechanisms of Na clusters on Ar surfaces, highlighting the role of substrate activity, impact energy, and cluster charge in the process.

Findings

Ar surface acts as an efficient shock absorber.

Energy transfer occurs rapidly at first impact.

Charged clusters interact more strongly with the surface.

Abstract

Using a combined quantum mechanical/classical method, we study the dynamics of deposition of small Na clusters on Ar(001) surface. We work out basic mechanisms by systematic variation of substrate activity, impact energy, cluster orientations, cluster sizes, and charges. The soft Ar material is found to serve as an extremely efficient shock absorber which provides cluster capture in a broad range of impact energies. Reflection is only observed in combination with destruction of the substrate. The kinetic energy of the impinging cluster is rapidly transfered at first impact. The distribution of the collision energy over the substrate proceeds very fast with velocity of sound. The full thermalization of ionic and atomic energies goes at a much slower pace with times of several ps. Charged clusters are found to have a much stronger interface interaction and thus get in significantly closer contact with the surface.