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Tracing the Movements of Single Atoms and Molecules on Solid Surfaces |
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Tien T. Tsong
Institute of Physics, Academia Sinca, Taipei, Taiwan 115, R.O.C. (Received October 16, 1997) |
| Atoms and molecules on solid surfaces start to move at relatively low temperature. The dynamic behavior of atoms and molecules is responsible for crystal shape changes, crystal growth and thin film epitaxy, surface enhanced chemical reactions and many other surface phenomena where transport of atoms and molecules is involved. Identification of elementary atomic processes in the dynamic behavior, and finding their mechanisms and energetics are the key to understand these surface phenomena at the fundamental level. Using atomic resolution microscopy, it is now possible to trace the motion of single atoms and molecules on solid surfaces from which elementary atomic processes can be identified and studied. Here, we discuss a few of our recent results at metal and semiconductor surfaces where novel mechanisms of atomic and molecular movements have been found. We also discuss how our result can be used to explain different growth modes existing in epitaxy. |
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