Equilibrium intermetallic particles in the gas phase - a Knudsen cell mass spectrometric study

Using the Knudsen cell effusion technique it is possible to generate a molecular beam containing intermetallic molecules. Mass spectrometric studies were carried out with the systems: Cesium/antimony, cesium/antimony/bismuth, cesium/antimony/indium, cesium/antimony/tin and cesium/antimony/bismuth/tin. In all these systems intermetallic particles with extraordinary stoichiometries could be detected. A brief discussion of the appearance energies and the bonding principle of these molecules or clusters are given. (orig.)