The spectroscopy and photophysics of isolated transitionmetal clusters

Abstract

Transition-metal clusters are large heavy molecules possessing many low-lying electronic states, and can be produced under isolated conditions (i.e. in molecular or ion beams) only at very low number densities. As a result, many of the traditional methods of molecular spectroscopy cannot be used to study these species. However, newer techniaues, developed within the last 15 years, have proven successful in probing neutral and charged transition-metal clusters. In this (selective) review, the strengths and weaknesses of these techniques are discussed, with recent examples provided.