Abstract
The properties of small clusters can be investigated by various methods. For very small clusters having 3 or 4 atoms, the spectroscopic techniques are suitable and results are presented on Na3 for which the dynamical Jahn-Teller effect, the ground state structure and predissociated states have been observed. For larger clusters, various other methods can be used and some of them are detailed in the paper. General trends in the cluster properties are given for selected examples of atomic clusters studied in the literature. Rare gas clusters are dominated by the van der Waals bonding. Alkaline clusters are well interpreted by a very simple shell model. In divalent metal clusters, a transition from a van der Waals to metallic structure is expected and has been observed in mercury clusters. Finally, the more complicated case of semi-metal clusters is also discussed. Results are presented on antimony and bismuth clusters.
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