Thermal Diffusion Processes in Metal-Tip-Surface Interactions: Contact Formation and Adatom Mobility

Mads R. Sørensen, Karsten W. Jacobsen, and Hannes Jónsson
Phys. Rev. Lett. 77, 5067 – Published 16 December 1996
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Abstract

We have carried out computer simulations to identify and characterize various thermally activated atomic scale processes that can play an important role in room temperature experiments where a metal tip is brought close to a metal surface. We find that contact formation between the tip and the surface can occur by a sequence of atomic hop and exchange processes which become active on a millisecond time scale when the tip is about 3–5 Å from the surface. Adatoms on the surface are stabilized by the presence of the tip and energy barriers for diffusion processes in the region under the tip are reduced. This can cause adatoms to follow the tip as it is moved over the surface.

  • Received 24 June 1996

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.77.5067

©1996 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Mads R. Sørensen1, Karsten W. Jacobsen1,2, and Hannes Jónsson1,3

  • 1Center for Atomic-scale Materials Physics, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark
  • 2Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
  • 3Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Box 351700, Seattle, Washington 98195

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Vol. 77, Iss. 25 — 16 December 1996

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