Multielectron bubbles in helium as a paradigm for studying electrons on surfaces with curvature

The theoretical framework presented here is focused on the case of electrons on the spherical surface of a bubble in helium. We discuss how the theory can straightforwardly be generalized to investigate the case of (finite thickness) metallic nanoshells. Nanoshells consist of a non-conducting nanograin covered by a few atomic layers of metal. The physiologically compatible size and unique optical properties of these objects have led to applications in diagnostics and directed therapeutics of cancer and drug delivery. These successful biomedical applications underline the increasing interest in curved-surface electron systems treated in this report, and the necessity to supply a theoretical framework for these systems. Multielectron bubbles and nanoshells are structures that are realizable in nature. We begin this report by discussing the experimental developments and progress in producing these entities in a useful manner that allows them to be studied and utilized.