SMALL METAL PARTICLES

The review article is devoted to the results of theoretical and experimental investigations of nanometer metal particles. First, a modern theory is presented of equilibrium and nonequilibrium structures and shapes of small particles. The next chapter deals with the small particle thermodynamics. It reflects the present state of the theory of the surface forces for small particles, including crystalline ones. Conditions are pointed out for a validity of the conventional thermodynamics which assumes the equilibrium between a particle and its surroundings. An alternative thermodynamic theory is presented which is adequate for the particles surrounded by their very rare saturated vapour. Specifics is described of melting and interphase fluctuations in small particles. In describing electron properties, emphasis is laid on the size dependence of the Fermi energy calculated using coarse-grained DOS. Some effects related to this dependence are presented, a mutual charging cf particles of different sizes among them. It manifests itself in an anomalously strong attraction between particles, diodic properties of specially prepared island films and so on. Magnetic properties of small particles are described including macroscopic quantum tunneling of magnetization.