title: Phase coexistence during surface phase transitions.
abstract: In contrast to standard thermodynamic models, we observe phase coexistence over an extended temperature range at a first-order surface phase transition. We have measured the domain evolution of the Si(111)-( 7x7) to ( 1x1) phase transition with temperature, using low-energy electron microscopy. Comparison with detailed, quantitative theoretical predictions shows that coexistence is due to long-range elastic and electrostatic domain interactions. Phase coexistence is predicted to be a universal feature of surface phase transitions.
authors.affiliation: IBM Research Division, T.J. Watson Research Center, P.O. Box 218, Yorktown Heights, New York 10598, USA.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Hannon
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: zu Heringdorf
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tersoff
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Tromp