Production and characterization of thermally-annealed large clusters by high-pressure laser-vaporization technique

Abstract

We have developed a high-pressure laser-vaporization cluster source, which enables us to produce large, annealed clusters. Large carbon clusters up to C + 2000 , annealed sodium fluoride clusters of Na + (NaF) n , and ammonium iodide clusters of NH + 4 (NH 4 I) n have been produced by this technique. Annealed ammonium iodide clusters show a transition from hydrogen bonded complexes to ionic crystals as the cluster size increases. The characterization of the present technique and the production processes of the large, annealed clusters are discussed.

Production of fullerenes by high-temperature pulsed arc discharge

“…However, Boweres and coworkers have found that these carbon clusters are not actually fullerenes; they evolve from carbon clusters to fullerenes by annealing [2,3]. We have also found that the annealing process is essential for production of fullerenes and other clusters that should have perfect structures [4][5][6][7][8].…”