LOW-FREQUENCY OSCILLATIONS IN NANOCLUSTERS OF LANTHANUM TRIFLUORIDE

We report classical molecular dynamics simulations of clusters of up t o 3120 atoms of lanthanum trifluoride. The results are analysed to sho w the extent to which such small clusters can also be described by sim ple continuum methods. The oscillations in the shape of the solid nano clusters agree very well in frequency and magnitude with those deduced from classical elasticity theory. The liquid-drop oscillations which are seen in the molecular dynamics simulations show that the simulatio ns reproduce the surface tension behaviour of ionic systems.