Abstract
The diffusion of individual N adatoms on Fe(100) has been studied using scanning tunneling microscopy and ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The measured diffusion barrier for isolated N adatoms is , with a prefactor of , which is in quantitative agreement with the DFT calculations. The diffusion is strongly coupled to lattice distortions, and, as a consequence, the presence of other N adatoms introduces an anisotropy in the diffusion. Based on experimentally determined values of the diffusion barriers and adsorbate-adsorbate interactions, the potential energy surface experienced by a N adatom is determined.
- Received 13 January 2000
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.4898
©2000 American Physical Society