The structures and stabilities of mixed inert gas cluster ions: NeHen+ andArHen+

DIM-type matrices for RgHe(n)(+) clusters have been established from the re sults of ab initio calculations on RgHe and RgHe(+) (Rg = Ne and Ar). The m ethod has been tested against ab initio calculations on linear and T shaped RgHe(2)(+) and found to be satisfactory. Rotational invariance has been es tablished for larger clusters, and the geometries and energies of clusters up to n = 16 have been determined. Ne cluster ions are more stable than Ar cluster ions because of the greater contribution from charge transfer, and are structurally different. The relative stabilities of these cluster ions are consistent with the available experimental data.