Beyond Shell-Filling: Strong Enhancement of Electron Affinity of Metal Clusters through a Noninvasive Oriented External Electric Field

Traditional electron counting rules, like the Jellium model, have long been successfully utilized in designing superhalogens by modifying clusters to have one electron less than a filled electronic shell. However, this shell-filling approach, which involves altering the intrinsic properties of the clusters, can be complex and challenging to control, especially in experiments. In this letter, we theoretically establish that the oriented external electric field (OEEF) can substantially enhance the electron affinity (EA) of diverse aluminum-based metal clusters with varying valence electron configurations, leading to the creation of superhalogen species without altering their shell arrangements. This OEEF approach offers a noninvasive alternative to traditional superatom design strategies, as it does not disrupt the clusters' geometrical structures and superatomic states. These findings contribute a vital piece to the puzzle of constructing superalkalis and superhalogens, extending beyond conventional shell-filling strategies and potentially expanding the range of applications for functional clusters.