Permanent polarization of small metallic particles
arXiv:cond-mat/0702532 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.76.041401
Abstract
Electric charge density in a metallic nanoparticle fluctuates due to inhomogeneities of various kinds. While in the bulk these fluctuations are compensated via Thomas--Fermi screening, residual surface charges give rise to a permanent electric dipole moment. We show that this dipole moment increases linearly with particle size, and fluctuates strongly from particle to particle
5 pages, 2 figures; synchronized with journal version