Small, gas-phase metal clusters are of interest in exploring the transition from atomic to bulk properties in metals. Beryllium clusters are of particular interest, as theoretical predictions of properties of small Be clusters are highly dependent on the level of theory employed due to the importance of electron correlation effects in these systems. Experimental data on the electronic energy levels and geometries of these clusters would provide an important test of the accuracy of theoretical predictions for these clusters. To obtain experimental data on the electronic structure of Be clusters, we have constructed a pulsed cavity ringdown spectrometer designed to measure gas-phase metal clusters. We generate the clusters via laser ablation of a metal rod followed by supersonic expansion of the ablated material. The supersonic expansion is then probed by cavity ringdown spectroscopy using an excimer-pumped pulsed dye laser. The spectrometer is being developed by observing small clusters of Al and Cu in preparation for obtaining data for Be clusters. Preliminary data obtained using the spectrometer will be presented.

Devlopment of a cavity ringdown spectrometer for measuring electronic states of Be clusters

248th National Meeting (2014)

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