Thermal-energy atom-scattering study of Pb submonolayers on Cu(110)

Abstract

Submonolayers of Pb deposited at room temperature on a Cu(110) substrate undergo, with increasing Pb coverage, a continuous transition [lattice gas\ensuremath{\rightarrow}c(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2) structure], followed by a first-order transition [c(2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}p(4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)]. The further transformation of the p(4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1) layer into a quasicompact hexagonal layer with p(5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1) structure occurs by elimination of domain walls, probably with intermediate formation of a p(9\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1) structure.