title: Building Pb nanomesas with atomic-layer precision.
abstract: We demonstrate a novel scheme for manipulating metallic nanostructures involving a macroscopic number of atoms, yet with precise control in their local structures. The scheme entails a two-step process: (a) a triggering step using a scanning tunneling microscope, followed by (b) self-driven and self-limiting mass-transfer process. By using this scheme, we construct Pb nanomesas on Si(111) substrates whose thickness can be controlled with atomic-layer precision. The kinetic barrier for the mass transfer and the underlying mechanism behind this novel manipulation are determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712, USA.
authors.forename: C-S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: S-C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: H-B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Eom
authors.forename: X-D
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ph
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ebert
authors.forename: J-F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Q-K
authors.initials: QK
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: C-K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Shih