Atom Transfer and Single-Adatom Contacts

L. Limot, J. Kröger, R. Berndt, A. Garcia-Lekue, and W. A. Hofer
Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 126102 – Published 1 April 2005

Abstract

The point contact of a tunnel tip approaching towards Ag(111) and Cu(111) surfaces is investigated with a low temperature scanning tunneling microscope. A sharp jump to contact, random in nature, is observed in the conductance. After point contact, the tip-apex atom is transferred to the surface, indicating that a one-atom contact is formed during the approach. In sharp contrast, the conductance over single silver and copper adatoms exhibits a smooth and reproducible transition from tunneling to contact regime. Numerical simulations show that this is a consequence of the additional dipolar bonding between the adatom and the surface atoms.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 9 December 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.94.126102

©2005 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

L. Limot1, J. Kröger1, R. Berndt1, A. Garcia-Lekue2, and W. A. Hofer2

  • 1Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, D-24098 Kiel, Germany
  • 2Surface Science Research Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, United Kingdom

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 94, Iss. 12 — 1 April 2005

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×