Generation of metal nanoclusters and microparticles

The paper discusses the processes that take place in the generation of nanoscale metal clusters formed from atomic metal vapor obtained by heating metal microparticles under microwave radiation or an electron beam. We analyzed the heat balance equation for a heated microparticle that loses energy by thermal radiation, evaporation of atoms from its surface, and heat transfer in the surrounding gas via heat conduction. Numerical data are obtained for the heating of silver and aluminum microparticles; practical aspects of a metal cluster beam generator are discussed.