The detection and ionization potential of mercury clusters

Abstract

The molecular clusters Hg₂, Hg₃, Hg₄ and Hg₅ have been detected in supersaturated mercury vapour. They were produced in a supersonic nozzle-skimmer type molecular beam, ionized by electrons and analysed in a mass spectrometer. The vertical ionizational potential of Hg₂ was 9.52+or-0.15 eV (in agreement with previously reported values), while that of Hg₃ was 9.32+or-0.20 eV. The ions resulted from direct ionization of the corresponding neutral molecular clusters.