Compound clusters produced by the reaction of elemental vapors

Abstract

Cesium clusters containing up to 15 atoms were allowed to react with a variety of gases and vapors (O2, H2O, S8, Cl2) and the products were observed in a mass spectrometer. For example, using a cluster source containing two ovens, it was possible to produce and detect CsS clusters of all conceivable compositions, from (CsS48)+ to (Cs14S)+. Certain clusters, however, stand out particularly strongly in the mass spectra. These clusters are assumed to be unusually stable. Where meaningful, the structures of the stable clusters were determined by minimizing the total binding energy assuming a pair potential.