Two-step liquid drop model for binary, metal-rich clusters

It is shown that differences observed between the ionization potentials of the molecular-doped metallic clusters and those corresponding to the bare m etallic ones can be explained by a two-step approach of the classical Liqui d Drop Model. This approach takes into account the distinct physical proper ties of the interface between the molecular core and the metallic shell. Al so, it is shown that the presence of the molecular core may act in the dete rmination of the predominant channel of the coulombic fission. (C) 2000 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.