Orientational ordering of two-dimensional ice on Pt(111)

Abstract

Two highly ordered, epitaxially rotated phases of bilayer ice are observed on Pt(111) in high resolution helium atom diffraction. Analysis of helium diffraction patterns shows that the two phases differ slightly in their density and alignment with respect to the surface. The lack of any isotope effect for both phases indicates that the ice bilayers have structures and hydrogen bond lengths very similar to bulk ice.