Application of magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy to the identification of small, matrix-isolated metal clusters and the assignment of their electronic spectra

Abstract

Those principles of magnetic circular dichroism which are particularly relevant to the assignment of the spectra of matrix-isolated metal atoms and small molecules formed from such atoms are briefly reviewed. These principles are illustrated through a discussion of the m.c.d. spectra of Ag_n and Cu_n isolated in argon and methane matrices. The analysis of the spectra of the silver species presents few problems and for Ag₂ and Ag₃ the results strongly confirm the assignments of species and electronic states which have been made hitherto. For the copper spectra the situation is much less satisfactory and further work is indicated.