Experimental dissociation energies of metal cluster dications and their interpretation in a liquid-drop model with empirical corrections

The dissociation energies of doubly charged silver cluster ions in the size range 9 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 25 are measured by m ultiple collision induced dissociation. They are compared to the dissociati on energies of singly charged clusters. To this end, the latter are used to calculate shell corrections in a macroscopic-microscopic model. Good agree ment between the resulting predictions of the dissociation energies of the doubly charged systems and the experimental values is found, which indicate s the strong influence of electronic effects on the stability of small silv er clusters. [S1050-2947(99)05808-4].