Structure determination of disordered metallic sub-monolayers by helium scattering: a theoretical and experimental study
Abstract
An approach based on He scattering is used to develop an atomic-level structural model for an epitaxially grown disordered sub-monolayer of Ag on Pt(111) at 38 K. Quantum scattering calculations are used to fit structural models to the measured angular intensity distribution of He atoms scattered from this system. The structure obtained corresponds to narrowly size-dispersed compact clusters with a modest translational disorder, and not to fractals, which might be expected due to the low surface temperature. The clusters are up to two layers in height, the lower one having only a few defects. The relations between specific features of the angular scattering distribution, and properties such as the cluster sizes and shapes, the inter-cluster distance distribution, etc. are discussed. The results demonstrate the usefulness of He scattering as a tool for unraveling new complex surface phases. © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
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