Thermal motion and energetics of self-assembled domain structures: Pb on Cu(111).
Low energy electron microscope measurements of the thermal motion of 50-200 nm diameter Pb islands on Cu(111) are used to establish the nature and determine the strength of interactions that give rise to self-assembly in this two-dimensional, two-phase system. The results show that self-assembled patterns arise from a temperature-independent surface stress difference of approximately 1.2 N/m between the two phases. With increasing Pb coverage, the domain patterns evolve in a manner consistent with models based on dipolar repulsions caused by elastic interactions due to a surface stress difference.
van Gastel
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Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1415, USA.
Plass
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Bartelt
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NC
Kellogg
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