Monatom-High Level Electron Microscopy of Metal Surfaces

Abstract

In-situ ultra-high vacuum transmission electron microscopy of metal surfaces is reviewed. Clean and well-defined surfaces have been prepared in the microscope, and surface topographs and structures have been observed at a monatom-high level. Monatom-high surface terraces on Ag(111), monolayer absorbate of Pb on Ag(111) and on Au(111) and reconstructed (p×1), (p″×p″) surface structures of Au(111) have been shown. The results show a capability of surface electron microscopy in developing solid state surface science. High resolution electron microscopy for imaging of surface structures at an atom resolution level appears promising.