DENSITY-FUNCTIONAL STUDY OF STRUCTURE AND BONDING IN LITHIUM CLUSTERSLI-N AND THEIR OXIDES LINO

Density functional (DF) calculations have been performed for lithium c lusters Li-n and their monoxides LinO with up to ten atoms. There are numerous stable structures, and new isomers have been found in each fa mily. The structural patterns of the homonuclear and oxide clusters ar e quite distinct. The combination of DF calculations with molecular dy namics (MD) sheds light on the observed pseudorotation of Li-3 and Li- 5. We compare with available experimental data and discuss the bonding and structural patterns in the clusters and their oxides, which are o ften described as ''hyperlithiated.'' (C) 1997 American Institute of P hysics.