Electronic Structure of LinHn Clusters

The LinHm clusters are produced in a seeded molecular beam. The lithium vapor is expanded in the vacuum with a mixture of 99% of argon and 1% of H2. The formed clusters are analyzed by a time of flight mass spectrometer and the clusters electronic structure is probed through ionization potential measurements. The electronic structure of LinH and LinH2 may be interpreted by assuming that the bonding of one hydrogen atom localizes one electron of the lithium atoms and that the other electrons remain delocalized.