This project focuses on the study of the electronic and structural properties of size-resolved clusters, which possess large static or dynamic electric dipole moments. The experiments will be carried out on free clusters in beams. The following topics will be explored: (i) the electronic surface structure of sliver and gold nanoclusters, specifically, the screening parameters of s- and d-electrons in the surface region; (ii) the influence of adsorbed molecules on the optical spectra of such clusters; (iii) the formation of dipolar amino acid zwitterions in water clusters. The broader impacts involve education of both undergraduate and graduate students, encouragement of diversity and outreach to local high school students.
