Self-organized formation of rhomboidal nanopyramids on fcc(110) metal surfaces.
We report on the far from equilibrium self-organized morphologies obtained after Xe ion irradiation of the Rh(110) and Cu(110) surfaces. Here we experimentally identify by means of high resolution LEED a novel interfacial state characterized by a rhomboidal pyramid islanding with majority steps oriented along nonequilibrium low-symmetry directions. The formation of the novel rhomboidal pyramid state and the transition to the well-known rippled phases results from a delicate interplay of kinetic processes which are controlled by acting on temperature, ion flux, and impact energy.
Molle
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A
Dipartimento di Fisica and INFM-Unità di Genova, Via Dodecaneso 33, I-16146 Genova, Italy.
Buatier de Mongeot
F
F
Molinari
A
A
Xiaerding
F
F
Boragno
C
C
Valbusa
U
U