The interatomic distances encountered in metal microclusters are calculated by assuming that the phenomenon of multilayer relaxation observed on macroscopic surfaces applies also to the surfaces of finite polyhedron-shaped clusters. The calculations of surface relaxation values are done by means of the modified point-ion model developed by the authors. Application of such values to Cu microclusters with specific surfaces lead to interatomic distances in semiquantitative agreement with the experimental results published by other authors. Thus the interatomic distances in metallic microclusters seem to be determined by the same electrostatic interactions that can account for surface relaxation in macroscopic crystals.

• Received 13 May 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.36.6336