Properties of small clusters at ionic surfaces: (NaCl)nclusters (n=1–48) at the (100) MgO surface

We have studied the geometry, binding energy, interaction with the surface, barriers for diffusion, optical absorption, and the possibility for their observation using atomic force microscopy of (NaCl${)}_{\mathit{n}}$ clusters (n=1–48) on the (100) MgO surface. We address the questions at which cluster size do the adsorbed molecules lose their identity and how do strained clusters accommodate the strain. The relation between the structure of initial molecular fragments adsorbed at the surface and the structure of the corresponding thick film is discussed. The results are compared with the calculated structures of the free clusters and the experimental data on the molecular-beam epitaxy of alkali halides.