Cluster dynamics: A classical trajectory study of A + An?A*n+1

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Abstract
The dynamics of the collision of an atom A with a small cluster of atoms, An, leading to the formation of a quasibound A*n+1 complex, which subsequently decays, has been studied using classical trajectories. Pairwise Lennard‐Jones potentials (with parameters appropriate for argon) were used to describe the identical point masses (Ar). The results illustrate the feasibility of direct calculations of microscopic rates for nucleation processes. The dissociation of collisionally formed A*n+1 (n=3,4, and 5) occurs by first‐order exponential decay. Furthermore the energy dependence of the dissociation rate constants appears to be well described by the RRK functional form.