THE VIBRATIONAL AND ELECTRONIC ABSORPTION SPECTRA OF SILVER-LITHIUM, SILVER-SODIUM, COPPER-LITHIUM, AND COPPER-SODIUM FROM SINGLE MOLECULES TO SMALL PARTICLES.

Abstract

Vibrational and electronic absorption spectra of metal alloy molecules and small particles have been measured. The matrix isolation technique was used to produce the samples. Dissimilar metals were combined to provide far infrared vibrational activity. Through the study of the electronic and vibrational excitation spectra, metallic interatomic binding potential characteristics could be investigated. The absorption spectra of the molecular systems were modelled using the extended Hueckel method, for the electronic excitations, and a dynamical matrix-normal mode technique for the vibrational excitations. Surface plasmon absorption, from the metal alloy particles, could not be measured but surface phonon absorption was measured. Electronic and vibrational absorption lines in alloyed metal molecules were measured and compared to the calculations. A surface diffusion model was developed to explain the dependences of molecule and particle size on the experimentally controlled system parameters.