Figure 3: Spectra of the full Au144(SR)60 cluster and partial structures.

The absorption cross-section of the full Au144(SR)60 cluster, with R=CH3 (left image), is compared with that of the Grand Core of 114 Au atoms (right), and to that of the ad hoc structure consisting of all 144 Au atoms of the full cluster (middle image). The ligands are defined to include both the Au ad-atoms and the thiolate groups.