Energetics of nickel and palladium

Abstract We present several model calculations involving nickel and palladium using the embedded atom method. Adhesion in the crystalline form of these substances is studied by calculating surface energy as a function of separation of a solid along a crystalline plane, and slip barrier height as a function of displacement. We also investigate a bulk property, Poisson's ratio, as a function of tensile strain. In addition, we examine the equilibrium configuration of metal clusters by finding the minimum energy configuration of clusters consisting of a small number ( N = 2–6) of nickel atoms.