Spectroscopy at metal cluster surfaces. Final report, September 15, 1993--September 14, 1996

The focus of this research program is the study of gas phase metal clusters to evaluate their potential as models for the fundamental interactions present in catalysis. To do this, the authors characterize the chemical bonding present between the component atoms in metal clusters as well as the bonding exhibited by {open_quotes}physisorption{close_quotes} on metal atom or metal cluster surfaces. Electronic spectra, vibrational frequencies and bond dissociation energies are measured for both neutral and ionized clusters with a variety of laser/mass spectrometry techniques. The authors are particularly interested in bimetallic cluster systems, and how their properties compare to those of corresponding pure metal clusters