Size dependence of the valence bands in gold clusters

Abstract

The valence of gold clusters grown on various alkali halide (100) surfaces have been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectrometry. For clusters with diameters below about 40 AA, i.e. containing less than approximately 103 atoms, no matter what substrate, a band narrowing and a shift to higher binding energies relative to the bulk is observed. These modifications provide evidence for an infinite-finite system transition.