Optical absorption of small silver clusters: Agn, (n=4-22)

Abstract

We present a joint theoretical and experimental investigation of the absorption spectra of silver clusters Agn (4n22). The experimental spectra of clusters isolated in an Ar matrix are compared with the calculated ones in the framework of the time-dependent density functional theory. The analysis of the molecular transitions indicates that the s -electrons are responsible for the optical response of small clusters (n8) while the d -electrons play a crucial role in the optical excitations for larger n values. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.