Pool-BCGA: a parallelised generation-free genetic algorithm for the ab initio global optimisation of nanoalloy clusters

The Birmingham cluster genetic algorithm is a package that performs global optimisations for homo- and bimetallic clusters based on either first principles methods or empirical potentials. Here, we present a new parallel implementation of the code which employs a pool strategy in order to eliminate sequential steps and significantly improve performance. The new approach meets all requirements of an evolutionary algorithm and contains the main features of the previous implementation. The performance of the pool genetic algorithm is tested using the Gupta potential for the global optimisation of the Au10Pd10 cluster, which demonstrates the high efficiency of the method. The new implementation is also used for the global optimisation of the Au10 and Au20 clusters directly at the density functional theory level.

Optical and electronic properties of mixed Ag-Au tetramer cations

We present experimental and theoretical studies of the optical response of mixed Ag(n)Au(+)(4-n) (n=1-3) clusters in the photon energy range ℏω = 1.9-3.5 eV. Absorption spectra are recorded by a newly built longitudinal molecular beam depletion spectroscopy apparatus providing lower limits to absolute photodissociation cross sections. The experimental data are compared to optical response calculations in the framework of long-range corrected time-dependent density functional theory with initial cluster geometries obtained by the unbiased Birmingham Cluster Genetic Algorithm coupled with density functional theory. Experiments and excited state calculations shed light on the structural and electronic properties of the mixed Ag-Au tetramer cations.

Polarizabilities of Isolated Silicon Clusters

The static electric polarizabilities a of silicon clusters with up to 60 atoms have been measured employing a mass selective molecular beam deflection method. The polarizability per atom αN = α/N of the SiN-clusters has been investigated for Si11 and the size ranges N = 14-28, 22-34, 28-44, 34-50, 41 -58, and 42-68. The results show that the polarizability per atom decreases from N = 11 until a minimum at N≥28 is reached. The polarizability per atom increases for N > 28, passes through a maximum at N≈36 and finally converges between N≈50-70 against the value αN =1.9Å3. If the model of a homogeneous dielectric sphere is applied to the larger clusters one calculates that the value αN =1.9Å3 corresponds to a dielectric constant of ε = 3.2. This value is significantly smaller than the dielectric constant of bulk silicon εb = 11.8.

The present paper focuses on the maximum in the polarizability at N≈36. This effect is discussed with special emphasis to recent Car-Parinello calculations which have predicted cage-like silicon structures that enclose a core of several highly coordinated atoms. This structure suggests an improved dielectric sphere model where the core is represented by a smaller sphere with its own dielectric constant εc. It is shown within this model that the observed maximum in polarizability is due to a significant enhancement of the core dielectric constant to a value of εc ≈50. This enhancement is related by means of a simple model to the effect that silicon becomes metallic under high pressure