Magic numbers in mass spectra of large van der Waals clusters
Abstract
Mass spectra of rare-gas clusters (Ar, Kr and Xe), produced in the neutral state and ionized by electron impact, exhibit steep intensity drops at n= 147 (148 for Ar), 309, 561 and 923, indicating that very large cluster ions relax successfully into complete shell icosahedra on the timescale of the experiment. This also holds true for large CO and CH4 clusters, which feature magic numbers at n= 147 and 309. Furthermore, a series of intensity anomalies, common to Ar, Kr, Xe, CO and CH4, is observed in the range 147 < n < 309. They closely correlate with the number of atoms for which closure of an outer icosahedral subshell is possible.
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