Small metal particles

This review article is devoted to results of theoretical and experimental investigations of properties of nanometer metal particles. First, the modern theory of equilibrium structures and shapes of small particles is presented. The next Section deals with the thermodynamics of small particles. It reflects the present state of the theory of surface forces for small particles, including crystalline ones. Validity conditions are pointed out for the standard approach, and an alternative approach is described which is adequate for particles surrounded by their saturated vapor. In it the Laplace pressure is not a real physical force, but a formal quantity that describes the size dependence of the chemical potential. Specific features are described of melting and interphase fluctuations in small particles. In describing the electron properties of the particles emphasis is laid on the smoothed level density and the size dependence of the Fermi energy. Some effects caused by this dependence are presented, in particular the mutual charging of particles of different sizes which manifests itself in an anomalously strong attraction between particles and so on. Magnetic properties of small particles are also described including macroscopic quantum tunneling of magnetization.