QUANTUM-MECHANICAL CALCULATIONS OF STOICHIOMETRIC MGO CLUSTERS

In this paper, we report the results of ab initio molecular orbital calculations on cube-like (MgO)n clusters (n=1-13). We determine the relative stability of the clusters by analyzing binding energies and dissociation energies involved in the evaporation of a neutral MgO monomer. The calculated magic numbers are in very good agreement with the abundance maxima observed in the mass spectra. We also explore the size-dependence of structural, energetic and electronic properties of the clusters, finding different rates to reach the corresponding bulk limit.