Evolution of far-from-equilibrium nanostructures on Ag(100) surfaces: Protrusions and indentations at extended step edges

Journal Article · Tue Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 2000 · Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.61.4910· OSTI ID:20215508

Cadilhe, A M ^[1]; Stoldt, C R ^[1]; Jenks, C J ^[1]; Thiel, P A ^[1]; Evans, J W ^[1]

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1. IPRT, Departments of Chemistry and Mathematics, and Ames Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames Iowa 50011 (United States)

Scanning tunneling microscopy is used to monitor the formation and relaxation of nanoprotrusions and nanoindentations at extended step edges following submonolayer deposition of Ag on Ag(100). Deposition of up to about 1/4 ML Ag produces isolated two-dimensional (2D) Ag clusters, which subsequently diffuse, collide, and coalesce with extended step edges, thus forming protrusions. Deposition of larger submonolayer amounts of Ag causes existing step edges to advance across terraces, incorporating 2D islands. The resulting irregular step structure rapidly straightens after terminating deposition, except for a few larger indentations. Relaxation of these far-from-equilibrium step-edge nanoconfigurations is monitored to determine rates for restructuring versus local geometry and feature size. This behavior is analyzed utilizing kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of an atomistic lattice-gas model for relaxation of step-edge nanostructures. In this model, mass transport is mediated by diffusion along the step edge (i.e., ''periphery diffusion''). The model consistently fits observed behavior, and allows a detailed characterization of the relaxation process, including assessment of key activation energies. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.

• OSTI ID: 20215508
• Journal Information: Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Journal Name: Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 61; ISSN 1098-0121
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
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