Sequential Reactions of Silicon Clusters with SiD sup 4: Constrained Heterogeneous Nucleation of Hydrogenated Silicon Particles.

The sequential clustering reactions of gas phase silicon cluster ions are ideally suited for studying heterogeneous nucleation of silicon particles. Stepwise reactions of silicon cluster ions with silane have been observed which lead to growth of larger hydrogenated silicon clusters. Extensive information is obtained about their exothermic gas phase reaction rates and product distributions as a function of cluster size and degree of hydrogenation.