Magic Numbers for Sphere Packings: Experimental Verification in Free Xenon Clusters
Abstract
The existence of magic numbers for atomic microclusters has been found experimentally for the first time. The magic numbers n∗ manifest themselves in the mass spectra of free xenon clusters, nucleated in the gas phase. The observed numbers n∗=13, 55, and 147 coincide with the numbers of spheres required for complete-shell icosahedra. The appearance of further magic numbers (19, 25, 71, and 87) is only partially explained by previous calculations.
Department
Physics
Publication Date
4-10-1981
Journal Title
Physical Review Letters
Publisher
APS Physics
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
O. Echt, K. Sattler and E. Recknagel, Magic Numbers for Sphere Packings: Experimental Verification in Free Xenon Clusters, Phys. Rev. Lett. 47 (1981) 1121
Rights
©1981 American Physical Society
COinS