Gold clusters have received considerable attention because of their role in catalytic reactions and novel structures.  For example, Au<sub>20</sub> is a pyramidal structure, whereas Au<sub>7</sub> has a planar geometry.  We employ infrared multiple photon dissociation (IR-MPD) spectroscopy to obtain vibrational spectra of gold clusters tagged with a krypton atom in the gas phase.  This spectroscopic technique makes use of the Free Electron Laser for Infrared eXperiments (FELIX) and has been shown to be an effective method to probe the structure of transition metal clusters.  For this study, we have collected far-infrared spectra over the range where the major fundamental vibrations of gold clusters exist.  Comparing the observed infrared spectra to those theoretically predicted for multiple isomers of a single cluster size enables accurate structural assignments.  Here, we present structural assignments for neutral gold clusters, evaluate the size range for which gold clusters transition from 2D to 3D, and discuss how this transition changes with temperature.

Geometries and properties of neutral gold clusters in the gas phase: Transition from 2D To 3D structures?

2019 Spring National Meeting

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