Physics and Chemistry of Finite Systems: From Clusters to Crystals

Recent innovations in experimental techniques such as molecular and cluster beam epitaxy, supersonic jet expansion, matrix isolation and chemical synthesis are increasingly enabling researchers to produce materials by design and with atomic dimension. These materials constrained by sire, shape, and symmetry range from clusters containing as few as two atoms to nanoscale materials consisting of thousands of atoms. They possess unique structuraI, electronic, magnetic and optical properties that depend strongly on their size and geometry. The availability of these materials raises many fundamental questions as weIl as technological possibilities. From the academic viewpoint, the most pertinent question concerns the evolution of the atomic and electronic structure of the system as it grows from micro clusters to crystals. At what stage, for example, does the cluster look as if it is a fragment of the corresponding crystal. How do electrons forming bonds in micro-clusters transform to bands in solids? How do the size dependent properties change from discrete quantum conditions, as in clusters, to boundary constrained bulk conditions, as in nanoscale materials, to bulk conditions insensitive to boundaries? How do the criteria of classification have to be changed as one goes from one size domain to another? Potential for high technological applications also seem to be endless. Clusters of otherwise non-magnetic materials exhibit magnetic behavior when constrained by size, shape, and dimension. NanoscaIe metal particles exhibit non-linear opticaI properties and increased mechanical strength. SimiIarly, materials made from nanoscale ceramic particIes possess plastic behavior.

List of contents

Atomic Structure.- Stability and Evolution.- Dynamics.- Electronic Structure.- Magnetism.- Electrical and Optical Properties.- Cluster Reactions and Cluster-Support Interactions.- Cluster Assemblies.- Materials Involving Carbon.- International Advisory Board.- Local Organizing Committee.- Participants.- Author Index.

Summary

Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop, Richmond, VA, U.S.A., October 8-12, 1991

Product details

• Authors: P. Jena, NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Physi
• Assisted by: etc. (Editor), P. Jena (Editor), Peru Jena (Editor), B K N Rao (Editor), S N Khanna (Editor), S. N. Khanna (Editor), S.N. Khanna (Editor), S N Khanna (Editor), B K N Rao (Editor), B. K. N. Rao (Editor), B.K. (All of the Department of Physics Rao (Editor), B.K.N. Rao (Editor)
• Publisher: Springer Netherlands
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 06.12.2012
• EAN: 9780792318187
• ISBN: 978-0-7923-1818-7
• No. of pages: 1436
• Dimensions: 162 mm x 245 mm x 90 mm
• Weight: 2285 g
• Illustrations: XLIII, 1436 p. 661 illus.
• Series: NATO Science Series C: (Closed; Nato Science Series C: NATO Science Series C 177716; NATO Asi Series. Series C, Mat; NATO Science Series: C: Mathematical & Physical Sciences; Nato Science Series C:
• Subject: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Physics, astronomy > Atomic physics, nuclear physics