Supersonic bare metal cluster beams

The majority of our research efforts this past year in the area of bare metal clusters have focussed in two areas: ultraviolet photoelectron spectra (UPS) of bare, mass-selected transition metal clusters, and a continuation of our surface chemistry studies on the cluster ICR apparatus. In both cases the work has involved extensive continued efforts to improve the intensity, cooling, and reproducibility of the laser vaporization cluster source. A major success has been achieved here that should substantially accelerate progress in the cluster beam field. In what follows, I will briefly discuss this new source, then treat the UPS and ICR activities in turn