Faceting transformations of the stepped Pt(001) surface

Abstract

We describe x-ray scattering studies of the structure and morphology of a stepped Pt(001) surface between 300 and 1850 K. Two distinct faceting transformations are observed. Above 1820 K, we find an unreconstructed, stepped surface. Between 1820 and 1620 K, there is coexistence among hexagonally reconstructed, step-free domains and unreconstructed, stepped domains. The tilt angle of the unreconstructed domains exhibits a one-half power-law dependence on reduced temperature. At 1620 K, there is a second morphological transformation at which the unreconstructed domains are replaced by magic vicinals.