Kinetics of aggregation of carbon clusters

Abstract

Gas-phase cluster aggregation is simulated by a model which includes the simultaneous growth of neutral and charged clusters in a laser vaporization source. Electronic-structure calculations determine the kinetic parameters of the model. Results for carbon clusters are in good agreement with experimental data, explain the magic numbers in the ${\mathrm{C}}_{10}$--${\mathrm{C}}_{25}$ region, and demonstrate the importance of both thermodynamic and kinetic effects on the cluster growth process.