title: A new in situ optical microscope with single atomic layer resolution for observation of electrochemical dissolution of Au(111).
abstract: Monatomic steps with a height of 0.25 nm on ultraflat Au(111) surfaces during electrochemical dissolution can be seen for the first time by a laser confocal microscope combined with a differential interference contrast microscope (LCM-DIM). Atomic force microscopy images were acquired in the same area in order to confirm that the step lines observed by LCM-DIM are mostly monatomic steps with the height of 0.25 nm. Successively recorded LCM-DIM images indicated that the anodic dissolution of Au(111) takes place only at step edges in solutions containing chloride anions at potentials near the onset of anodic current.
authors.affiliation: World Premier International Research Center, Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Katahira 2-1-1, Aobaku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lahiri
authors.forename: Mukkannan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azhagurajan
authors.forename: Shin-ichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Kingo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Itaya