MAGNETIC AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF SODIUM CLUSTERS IN ZEOLITE LTA

Abstract

Cationic Na clusters are formed in the α and β cages of Na-form LTA by incorporating Na atoms from vapor. The maximum number of Na atoms incorporated is 4.9 per unit cell. Ac magnetic susceptibilities and optical reflection spectra are measured as a function of Na loading density. Na clusters show diamagnetism independent of Na loading density while K clusters in K-LTA and Rb clusters in Rb-LTA show ferromagnetism at certain loading densities. All Na clusters contain therefore an even number of the electrons, which are supplied from 3s-electrons of the guest Na atoms, irrespective of the cages they are formed. The electron-phonon interaction plays an important role in stabilizing the singlet state. In the reflection spectra of highly loaded sample, a strong band is observed at 1.95 eV. An oscillator strength of this band exceeds unity per cluster by a great deal. This band is assigned to surface-plasmon-like excitation of Na cluster formed in α cage.