Size determination of free metal clusters by core-level photoemission from different initial charge states

Abstract

We present the study of free nanoscale lead clusters using photoelectron spectroscopy and synchrotron radiation. $\mathrm{Pb}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}5d$ core-level spectra reveal the presence of different initial charge states of the clusters created by the magnetron-based source. We suggest a method for determining the cluster size from the charge-dependent core level binding energies. Both the core-level and the valence spectra demonstrate that we have created free metallic clusters with essentially the same electronic structure as the solid.