Abstract
Surface and interface excess quantities are coupled or ill-defined for ultra-thin films. Yet, surface and interface energy are consistently used to describe monolayer-range heteroepitaxial structures. Here, we examine the convergence of interfacial thermodynamic quantities to the well-defined thermodynamic (separability) limit in the systems Ag/Au(1 1 1) and Al/Au(1 1 1). Convergence to separability occurs together with the interface-induced electronic structure and interlayer spacing perturbations. We discuss how lack of thermodynamic separability affects growth mode, coherency, and domain organization.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1012-1016 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Surface Science |
Volume | 600 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1 2006 |
Keywords
- Coherency
- Domain organization
- Growth mode
- Heteroepitaxy
- Surface thermodynamics
- Ultra-thin films
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Surfaces and Interfaces
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Materials Chemistry