Interaction of Gold Clusters with Color Centers on MgO(001) Films

Abstract

Pricking the surface: STM and EPR spectroscopy demonstrate the presence of color centers on thin MgO(001) films and their interaction with Au atoms. These systems are used to calibrate the IR stretching frequencies of CO bound to Au clusters. Clusters on regular MgO(001) terrace sites remain neutral while nucleation at color centers results in a charge transfer from the surface to the Au cluster.