Interpreting the magnetic and electric deflections of free metal clusters in molecular beams

A short review of the analysis of magnetic and electric deflection data will be presented. Electric and magnetic beam deflection of several metal clusters, including Au$_{N}$, Al$_{N}$, Nb$_{N}$O, Na$_{N}$, Ho$_{N}$, Co$_{N}$, Rh$_{N}$ at various temperatures (20K-300K) and field strengths will be presented. The relation between the broadening of the deflected beam and the polarization distribution of the ensemble assuming a classical polar spherical rigid rotor model is demonstrated. Complicating factors including asymmetry effects and residual temperature effects will be discussed.