https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2008-00210-4
The valence band of free K clusters studied by photoelectron and Auger spectroscopies
1
MAX-lab, Lund University, Box 118, 22100 Lund, Sweden
2
Department of Physics and Material Science, Uppsala University, Box 530, 75121 Uppsala, Sweden
3
Department of Chemical Physics, Lund University, Box 124, 22100 Lund, Sweden
Corresponding author: a aldana.rosso@maxlab.lu.se
Received:
21
May
2008
Revised:
24
July
2008
Published online:
5
November
2008
The valence states of free neutral potassium clusters produced by a gas aggregation source were probed by synchrotron radiation based photoelectron spectroscopy. The first ionization energy (IE) of the clusters was determined to be 10% larger than the work function of bulk potassium. Using electrostatic concepts and the IE, the mean size of the clusters was estimated to be ≈2000 atoms. Further information about the valence band was provided by investigation of the Auger process initiated by the ionization of the 3p level with a subsequent emission of an Auger electron from the valence band (M2,3VV). Plasmon satellites were observed in Auger spectra of free metal clusters.
PACS: 36.40.-c – Atomic and molecular clusters / 73.22.-f – Electronic structure of nanoscale materials: clusters, nanoparticles, nanotubes, and nanocrystals / 79.60.-i – Photoemission and photoelectron spectra
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 2008