Argon Nanoclusters with Fivefold Symmetry in Supersonic Gas Jets and Superfluid Helium
Abstract
In this study argon nanoclusters (800 to ∼ 6500 atoms) formed in supersonic gas jets are compared to the nanoclusters stabilized in superfluid helium. High-energy electron and X-ray diffraction methods are utilized. Both techniques allow investigation of isolated clusters. It is shown that the theoretical prediction of the so-called multiply twinned particles with fivefold symmetry, such as icosahedra (ico) and decahedra (dec) is valid in the investigated cluster size interval. Around the point of the expected ico-to-dec size-dependent transformation at a cluster size of ∼ 2000 atoms, hexagonal ico and the statistical distribution of structures with a tendency for dec to replace ico are observed. Kinetic reasons, as well as temperature-related effects, could be responsible for the latter observations.
- Publication:
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Journal of Low Temperature Physics
- Pub Date:
- April 2017
- DOI:
- 10.1007/s10909-016-1720-8
- Bibcode:
- 2017JLTP..187..156D
- Keywords:
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- Argon nanoclusters;
- Multiply twinned particles;
- Size-dependent transformation;
- Supersonic gas jet;
- Impurity-helium solids