Electronic Structure of Small Metal Particles: Self‐Consistent Spherical Jellium Background Model

Abstract

AbstractGround state properties of small metal particles are investigated with the use of the local density approximation applied to the spherical jellium background model. Large quantum size effects are obtained for the work function, in strict analogy to those obtained for thin metal films. The convergence of the various physical properties to their value of a semi‐infinite half‐space is investigated. The static polarizability of small metal particles is obtained and compared both to the classical result and to the Thomas‐Fermi approximation. The importance of self‐consistency is discussed.