Charge and energy quantization phenomena in systems of ligand-stabilized metal clusters analyzed by scanning probe microscopy

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Uwe Hartmann
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2003 to 2005
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5405824

Ligand-stabilized metal clusters are of fundamental as well as of applied importance and can in contrast to naked clusters be investigated under ambient conditions. The main goal of the present project is to investigate the electronic properties of the well-known Au55[P(C6H5)3]12Cl6 compound by scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. In some recent work we could measure for the first time discrete energy levels of the cluster, and since a long time we study charge quantization due to single electron tunneling. Based on that work a more detailed analysis of the energy level splitting of the clusters is suggested within the present project. Additionally the interaction between adjacent clusters as well as between clusters and substrates is of interest.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants