FRAGMENTATION OF SEMICONDUCTOR AND METALLIC CLUSTERS - CALCULATIONS OF A QUANTUM-MECHANICAL TYPE

The problem addressed in this study is cluster fragmentation, either a s spontaneous desorption or induced by clusler-cluster collision. The response of the clusters is simulated with a quantum mechanical method of the semi-empirical type. The atoms forming the clusters are Si, Ge and Pb and the cluster size is less than or equal to 50. Monomers emi ssion and symmetric and asymmetric fission have been found to be the c hannels for spontaneous desorption. Similar channels have been found f or cluster-cluster interaction. The study describes the dependence of these events on the cluster structure and on the applied energy. (C) 1 998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.