Abstract
Quantitative low-energy electron diffraction current-voltage measurements have been utilized to determine the thermal expansion of the Mg(0001) and Be(1010) surfaces. The close-packed Mg(0001) surface exhibits a small thermal expansion while the more open Be(1010) 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 language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 245414 |
| Pages (from-to) | 2454141-2454149 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics |
| Volume | 66 |
| Issue number | 24 |
| State | Published - Dec 15 2002 |