Correlation between the energy shell structure and geometry in metallic nanoclusters: quasi-resonance states, isotope effect

TL;DR

This paper explores how the electronic shell structure in metallic nanoclusters influences their geometry, revealing a correlation that affects spectral properties and predicts an isotope effect through quantum oscillations between shape states.

Contribution

It introduces a model linking shell filling to shape oscillations and spectral features, highlighting a novel correlation in metallic nanoclusters.

Findings

Shape evolution linked to shell filling and quantum oscillations

Absorption spectra explained by shape oscillations

Predicted isotope effect on nanocluster properties

Abstract

Metallic nanoclusters displaying electronic shell structure exhibit the special feature of a correlation between their geometry and the number of delocalized electrons . Their shape evolution can be described as a quantum oscillation between quasi-resonant states (prolate and oblate configurations) whose amplitudes depend upon the degree of shell filling. The picture explains the evolution of absorption spectra and predicts a peculiar isotope effect .