FORMATION MECHANISM OF ATOM CLUSTERS

Formation mechanism of atom clusters is discussed from a view point of the long range interaction force (LRF) among constitutive atoms with the following results: a) LRF is a function of the charge transfer induced by difference in both the coordination number and electro-negativity of constitutive atoms, b) Distribution of the specific bulk free energy difference in an atom cluster is calculated as a function of LRF. The result shows a good coincidence with that of the lip-shape model of the crystal nucleation. c) The effective radius of LRF coincides with the magic size for atom clusters, d) Atom clusters behave as new elements different from those of the periodic table.