Electronic-structure-induced deformations of liquid metal clusters

Abstract
Ab initio molecular dynamics is used to study deformations of sodium clusters at temperatures 500–1100 K. The open-shell Na14 cluster has shape isomers, prolate and oblate, in the liquid state. The deformation is stabilized by opening a gap at the Fermi level. The closed-shell Na8 remains magic also at the liquid state.
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