The multi-dimensional potential vitality floor (PES) of a nanoparticle, akin to a naked cluster of metallic atoms, controls each the construction and dynamic behaviour of the particle. These properties are the topic of quite a few theoretical simulations. Nonetheless, quantitative experimental measurements of essential PES parameters are wanted to control the fashions employed within the theoretical work. Experimental measurements of parameters are presently few in quantity, whereas mannequin parameters taken from bulk methods might not be appropriate for nanosystems. Right here we describe a brand new measurement methodology, by which the isomer buildings of a single deposited nanocluster are obtained frame-by-frame in an aberration-corrected Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (ac-STEM) in Excessive Angle Annular Darkish Subject (HAADF) mode. A number of gold clusters containing 309 ± 15 atoms have been analysed individually after deposition from a mass-selected cluster supply onto an amorphous carbon movie. The principle isomers recognized are icosahedral, decahedral and face-centred-cubic (the majority construction), alongside many amorphous (glassy) buildings. The outcomes, that are broadly per static ac-STEM measurements of an ensemble of such clusters, open the best way to dynamic measurements of many various nanoparticles of numerous sizes, shapes and compositions.
