Sharpening our Understanding but Blurring the Boundaries: Dynamic Observations of Surface Reconstruction
Every now and then, reading a specific paper stimulates--in my mind at least--a variety of associations and connections that highlight advances that have been made and suggests links between areas that I may not have previously connected. The recent series of papers by McCarty and Bartelt (and co-workers) using low energy electron microscopy (LEEM) to study the dynamics of surface reconstruction of TiO2 , and NiAl sent my thinking in a variety loosely connected directions. Paraphrasing the response of one of my colleagues - the work causes us to think dynamically where we have often thought statically about what happens when surfaces reconstruct. The measurements also highlight the importance of newer techniques to help us visualize and understand phenomena that may have puzzled us for years. The dynamic interactions between surface structure and both the defect structure (and history) of the substrate and the nature of the environment of the specimen highlight an aspect of phenomena that drive surface reconstruction not normally considered and suggests additional and delightful challenges we face in understanding the bulk stability and surface structures of nano-sized objects. Since the physical arrangement of the atoms controls every aspect of the physics and chemistry of a surface or interface, the atomic geometry is a fundamental defining characteristic of a surface. , Details of the structure of a surface, including altered atomic positions, the presence of steps and various types of defects can significantly change the chemistry of a surface and impact processes ranging from the formation of interfaces in electronic components to the efficiency of a catalyst. Because of its importance there has been considerable effort devoted to understanding and predicting surface structures. However, dynamical aspects of surface reconstruction and the significance of material defects in the process have not been part of the standard picture.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US), Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 15004585
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-38716; SUSCAS; 2573; 3460; 2573a; 2573b; KP1302000; TRN: US201015%%711
- Journal Information:
- Surface Science, 540(2-3):153-156, Vol. 540, Issue 2-3; ISSN 0039-6028
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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