In this process, new materials are assembled on an almost atom by atom basis in order to obtain useful properties not found in naturally-occuring substances. Applications of this new technology can be found in many industries, but nowhere are they more vigorously sought than in the electronics industry, where making devices like transistors smaller and more efficient quickly translates into new and improved consumer products- and significant new profits for manufacturers.
Atomic clusters are the ultimate nanoscale materials.
These small clumps of matter contain from a few to a few hundred atoms, making them larger than typical inorganic molecules but still far smaller than solids. This intermediate size bestows upon clusters unique and potentially valuable properties that atomic scale engineers seek to exploit. In our research, we study the properties of clusters theoretically, using quantum mechanics-based calculations to predict the properties of covalently bonded clusters. The overall goal of this work is to develop a fundamental understanding of cluster properties that can guide the development of new technologies based on this novel form of matter. We have focused much of our attention on the properties of Si clusters.