Novel Features in 2D and 3D Neutral, Cationic, and Anionic Gold Clusters Au_(5 leq n leq 8)^Z (Z = 0, pm)

Low-energy structures are found on the potential energy surfaces of the neutral, cationic, and anionic gold clusters Au_{5 \leq n \leq 8}^Z (Z = 0, \pm) and on the neutral potential energy surface of Au_9. These structures provide insights on the 2D - 3D transition in small neutral and charged gold clusters. Two metastable long-lived dianions of gold clusters are reported as well.