INTERPLAY BETWEEN COLLECTIVE AND SINGLE ELECTROEXCITATIONS IN LARGE METAL-CLUSTERS

Collective and single electron excitations of large metal clusters supported on transparent substrates are investigated. The applied experimental techniques include extinction spectroscopy and laser induced dissociation accompanied by the ejection of individual atoms. The optical spectra depend on the electromagnetic far field and reflect collective electron excitations of the conduction electrons, i.e. surface plasmons. Dissociation, however, is correlated to repulsive single electron energy levels. The characteristics of these localized excitations indicate a strong influence of collective excitations. In particular, it is found that nonlocal optical effects are important. In this picture surface plasmons catalytically enhance the number of single electron excitations and therefore of the metal atoms ejected as a result of the absorption of visible light. Results will be presented, which illustrate this interplay between collective and single electron excitations.