Structure and dynamics of noble gas-halogen and noble gas ionic clusters: When theory meets experiment

As part of this special issue in honor of Gerardo Delgado Barrio, we have reviewed the interplay between experimental and theoretical work on halogen and interhalogen diatomic molecule bonded to one or more noble gas atoms and also ionic clusters consisting of noble gas atoms. Although the Madrid group has worked on many theoretical issues, they have made particularly important contributions to these two topics. Delgado Barrio has often chosen topics for study for which close interactions between theorists and experimentalists are especially useful. During the historical span of the group, we have progressed from approximate models whose goal was to capture the essence of a process even if the details were impossible to reproduce, to an era in which theory is an equal partner with experiment, and, in fact, often provides a detailed understanding beyond that obtained from a careful analysis of state-of-the-art data. 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.