Laser Photoionization Of Potassium Clusters Containing Up To 101 Atoms

Photoionization measurements on potassium clusters, KN, with 3 ≤N ≤101 atoms, show the influence of the clusters' electronic shell structure throughout the range of cluster sizes. Steps in the photoionization thresholds at the major shell closings are observed, and features in the photoionization spectra are correlated with the clusters' electronic levels. The trend of the thresholds toward the bulk work function is also observed.