We have studied the structure and geometry of neutral and charged atomic cl
usters consisting of Ga and As atoms via ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF) and se
cond-order Mowller-Plesset methods. The GamAsn cluster with m not equal n c
omposition prefers a nontetrahedral geometry in the charge neutral (q = 0)
state. These clusters tend to be stable in tetrahedral geometry when approp
riately charged. The GamAsn cluster with m = n composition (1:1 ratio of Ga
to As atoms) tends to be stable in a tetrahedral geometry in the charge ne
utral (q = 0) state. With increasing size of the cluster, the geometry of G
anAsn cluster approaches the zinc-belende-type crystalline structure. (C) 2
000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.