We study the coalescence of nanoscale metal clusters in an inert-gasatmosphere using constant-energy molecular dynamics. The coalescence proceedsvia atomic diffusion with the release of surface energy raising thetemperature. If the temperature exceeds the melting point of the coalescedcluster, a molten droplet forms. If the temperature falls between the meltingpoint of the larger cluster and those of the smaller clusters, a metastablemolten droplet forms and freezes.
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