Thermal expansion at a metal surface: A study of Mg(0001) and Be(101-0)

Ismail, Ph Hofmann, A. P. Baddorf, E. W. Plummer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Quantitative low-energy electron diffraction current-voltage measurements have been utilized to determine the thermal expansion of the Mg(0001) and (formula presented) surfaces. The close-packed Mg(0001) surface exhibits a small thermal expansion while the more open (formula presented) surface has a dramatic thermal contraction in the first interlayer spacing, accompanied by an expansion in the second interlayer spacing. A comparison of this data with all other measurements of the low-temperature thermal expansion reveals a quite striking difference for open surfaces of different metals. Significant negative thermal contraction at the surface occurs only on open faces of light mass metals. A simple force constant model indicates that this behavior correlates with the ratio of thermal motion parallel and perpendicular to the surface.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-9
Number of pages9
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume66
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

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