Dynamics of metal clusters in rare gas clusters

TL;DR

This paper models the complex dynamics of sodium clusters within argon matrices, highlighting how the matrix influences cluster properties and responses to laser irradiation, with implications for optical and explosion behaviors.

Contribution

It introduces a hierarchical modeling approach that captures microscopic cluster dynamics and coarse matrix effects, including polarizability and Pauli-repulsion, to study their interplay.

Findings

Matrix affects cluster's optical response.

Matrix hinders cluster explosion under laser irradiation.

Potential for pump-probe analysis of dynamical responses.

Abstract

We investigate the dynamics of Na clusters embedded in Ar matrices. We use a hierarchical approach, accounting microscopically for the cluster's degrees of freedom and more coarsely for the matrix. The dynamical polarizability of the Ar atoms and the strong Pauli-repulsion exerted by the Ar-electrons are taken into account. We discuss the impact of the matrix on the cluster gross properties and on its optical response. We then consider a realistic case of irradiation by a moderately intense laser and discuss the impact of the matrix on the hindrance of the explosion, as well as a possible pump probe scenario for analyzing dynamical responses.