Abstract
The existence of magic numbers for atomic microclusters has been found experimentally for the first time. The magic numbers manifest themselves in the mass spectra of free xenon clusters, nucleated in the gas phase. The observed numbers coincide with the numbers of spheres required for complete-shell icosahedra. The appearance of further magic numbers (19, 25, 71, and 87) is only partially explained by previous calculations.
- Received 10 April 1981
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.47.1121
©1981 American Physical Society