ISSN:
1434-6079
Keywords:
36.40
;
31.20
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract An analytic expression for the total energy of metallic clusters composed ofN identical atoms of valencev and with net chargeQ is obtained by means of a variational solution of the Thomas-Fermi-Weizsäcker energy density functional within the spherical jellium model. The minimum energy is given as an expansion in decreasing powers of the cluster radiusR=r s Z 1/3, withZ=vN andr s the radius per electron of the bulk metal. The coefficients are obtained as functions ofr s . Terms of volume (R 3), surface (R 2), curvature (R), constant (R 0), (1/R) and (1/R 2) are clearly separated in the formula, as well as the different contributions (kinetic, coulombic and exchange-correlation) to each of them. The asymptotic values (R→∞) for the work functions,W(r s ), and surface energies σ(r s ), are compared to analogous semiclassical and Kohn-Sham calculations of jellium-like surfaces and to the experimental values. The size dependent behaviour of chemical potentials, μ(R), electron affinities,AF(R), and ionization potentials,IP(R), are easily obtained for any kind of metallic clusters. In particular we discuss the Coulomb and quantum corrections to the coefficients β, δ in the asymptotic formulae:IP≃W+β/R andAF≃W+δ/R.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01448254
Permalink
