The evolution of the physical/ chemical sciences towards understanding the behavior of matter at the molecular level has been accompanied by a rapid increase in studies of the properties and functioning of confined water; that is, water in small clusters and nanoparticles or confined to solid/liquid thin films, surfaces and interfaces. These studies represent a convergence of interests and methodologies. That is, much emerging science, both basic and applied, depends on an understanding of confined water for significant advances; and the technical ability to gain that understanding has...

The evolution of the physical/ chemical sciences towards understanding the behavior of matter at the molecular level has been accompanied by a rapid increase in studies of the properties and functioning of confined water; that is, water in small clusters and nanoparticles or confined to solid/liquid thin films, surfaces and interfaces. These studies represent a convergence of interests and methodologies. That is, much emerging science, both basic and applied, depends on an understanding of confined water for significant advances; and the technical ability to gain that understanding has...

The field of cluster science is currently attracting considerable interest, not only from a fundamental standpoint, but also through its future applications to electronic, optical, magnetic, and other devices. Synthesizing specific clus- ters as a unit of useful nanostructures or controlling them as an assembly of nanocomposites is one of the ultimate purposes in this field. In order to understand how to synthesize individual clusters and t_o investigate physical properties, chemical reactions, structural stability, response to external fields, aggregation, phase transition, and other aspects...

This book supplies a systematic description of the preparation, characterization, and manipulation of cluster beams for the synthesis of nanocrystalline materials. It addresses all issues relevant to the realization of nanophase structures, providing an excellent introduction for scientists working in different fields. Particular emphasis is placed on using the technique for nanostructured materials and on explaining the role of cluster beams within the context of other experimental techniques in surface-science.

The book summarises contemporary knowledge about the theory of atomic and molecular clusters. New results are discussed on a high theoretical level. Access to this field of research is given by an explanation of the various subjects in introductory chapters.

Numerous experiments and calculations have shown that isolated metal clusters possess many interesting features, quite different from those known from surface and solid- state physics or from atomic and molecular physics. The technological exploitation of these new properties, e.g. in miniature electronic or mechanical components, requires the cluster to be brought into an environment such as an encapsulating matrix or a surface. Due to the interaction with the contact medium, the properties of the clusters may change or even disappear. Thus the physics of cluster-on-surface systems -- the...

Mesoscopic physics is a fast growing discipline with countless potential applications. Understanding the science of mesoscopic materials with unique physical and chemical properties is important for the design of nanodevices and materials with unique properties. Clusters as mesoscopic particles represent an intermediate state of matter between single atoms and solid material. This book deals with the properties of clusters in matrixes, on surfaces, and in vacuum. The formation and application of cluster-based materials is discussed. This book will appeal to physicists, chemists, materials...