Abstract

Collision processes between two gold clusters are investigated using classical molecular dynamics in combination with embedded atom (EA) potentials, after checking the reliability of the EA results by contrasting them with first principles calculations. The Au projectiles considered are both single atoms (N = 1) and clusters of N = 2, 12, 13 and 14 atoms. The targets contain N = 12, 13 and 14 gold atoms. The collision energy E and impact parameter 6 are chosen within a range such that the three regimes we are interested in studying (fusion, scattering and fragmentation) are realized. The results of the collision processes are described and analyzed in detail, and compared with previous work.