Atomic clusters are the bridge between molecules and the bulk matter. Following two key experiments — the observation of electronic shells in metallic clusters and the discovery of the C60 fullerence — the field of atomic clusters has experienced a rapid growth, and is now considered a mature field. The electrons of the cluster are confined to a small volume, hence, quantum effects are manifested on many properties of the clusters. Another interesting feature is that the properties often change in a non-smooth way as the number of atoms in the cluster increases. This book provides an updated overview of the field, and presents a detailed description of the structure and electronic properties of different types of clusters: Van der Waals clusters, metallic clusters, clusters of ionic materials and network clusters. The assembling of clusters is also considered, since specially stable clusters are expected to play a role in the future design and synthesis of new materials.

Contents:

• Introduction to Clusters
• Experimental Production of Clusters
• Van der Waals Clusters
• Electronic and Atomic Shells in Metal Clusters
• Electronic and Optical Properties of Simple Metal Clusters
• Melting and Fragmentation of Metal Clusters
• Bimetallic Clusters
• Clusters of the Transition Metals
• Magnetism
• Clusters of Ionic Materials
• Carbon Clusters
• Assembling of New Materials from Clusters