Plasmon tsunamis on metallic nanoclusters

• Published in: Journal of physics. Condensed matter Vol. 24; no. 10; pp. 104022 - 18
• Main Authors: Lucas, A A, Sunjic, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England IOP Publishing 14.03.2012
• Subjects: Charging; Condensed matter; Gain; Kinetic energy; Mathematical models; Nanostructure; Oscillations; Plasmons
• DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/24/10/104022
• ISSN: 0953-8984

A model is constructed to describe inelastic scattering events accompanying electron capture by a highly charged ion flying by a metallic nanosphere. The electronic energy liberated by an electron leaving the Fermi level of the metal and dropping into a deep Rydberg state of the ion is used to increase the ion kinetic energy and, simultaneously, to excite multiple surface plasmons around the positively charged hole left behind on the metal sphere. This tsunami-like phenomenon manifests itself as periodic oscillations in the kinetic energy gain spectrum of the ion. The theory developed here extends our previous treatment (Lucas et al 2011 New J. Phys. 13 013034) of the Arq+/C60 charge exchange system. We provide an analysis of how the individual multipolar surface plasmons of the metallic sphere contribute to the formation of the oscillatory gain spectrum. Gain spectra showing characteristic, tsunami-like oscillations are simulated for Ar15+ ions capturing one electron in distant collisions with Al and Na nanoclusters.