The electronic properties of small metal particles: the electric polarizability

Abstract

According to the theory of Gor'kov and Eliashbeg (1965), the electric polarizability of very small metal particles should be greatly enhanced because of quantization effects. The dielectric constant of glass samples containing large concentrations of small (<or approximately=100AA) silver particles has been measured to test this prediction. No enhancement of the dielectric constant of the composite material was observed, hence it is concluded that the electric polarizability of small metal particles is not enhanced. The reason for this is uncertain. It may be that the electron energy level separation assumed by Gor'kov and Eliashberg is incorrect. Alternatively, as suggested by Kubo (1962), it may be that the effect is suppressed because the oscillator strength at low frequency is insufficient.