THE PHOTODETACHMENT SPECTRA OF HOMOGENEOUS ALKALI METAL CLUSTER ANIONS: $Na^{-}_{n=2-5} K^{-}_{N=2-8}, Rb^{-}_{n=2-4}$. and $Ca^{-}_{n=2,3}$

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The alkali metals are the simplest of metals. We have recorded the photoeiectron spectra of $Na^{-}_{n=2-5} K^{-}_{N=2-8}, Rb^{-}_{n=2-4}$. and $Ca^{-}_{n=2,3}$ using 2.540 eV photons. These highly structured spectra chart both the electron affinities vs. cluster size for those cluster anions studied thus fat and the electronic state splittings of their corresponding neutral clusters (at the geometry of their cluster anions) vs. cluster size. The diner anion spectra have been completely assigned. These provide adiabatic electron affinities, vertical detachment energies, diner anion dissociation energies. neutral diner electronic state spacings, and bond lengths for the various excited electronic states of the neutral dimers. Thus far, we have obtained our most complete set of data on potassium cluster anions. Potassium is electronically analogous to copper. A comparison of the electron affinity vs. cluster size trends for potassium clusters with those for copper clusters (measured by Lineberger and by Smalley) of the same size, shows quantitative differences yet strikingly similar qualitative trends.

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Author Institution: Dept. of Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University

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