Direct observation of atomic exchange during surface self-diffusion

•Ir adatoms on Ir(100) are shown for the first time by direct measurement to diffuse by an exchange mechanism.•The use of isotropically enriched sources of adatoms enables the study of exchange in surface self-diffusion.•Deepened understanding of atom dynamics in homogeneous systems greatly enhances...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSurface science Vol. 695; p. 121564
Main Authors Koppa, Matthew A., Schwoebel, P.R.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.05.2020
Elsevier BV
Subjects
Adatoms
Exchange diffusion
Exchanging
Iridium
Self diffusion
Surface diffusion
Exchange diffusion
Surface diffusion
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Summary:•Ir adatoms on Ir(100) are shown for the first time by direct measurement to diffuse by an exchange mechanism.•The use of isotropically enriched sources of adatoms enables the study of exchange in surface self-diffusion.•Deepened understanding of atom dynamics in homogeneous systems greatly enhances our fundamental insight into crystal growth. [Display omitted] The first direct observation of atomic exchange during the surface self-diffusion of single adatoms is reported. Iridium adatoms from a source enriched to  ≥ 93% 191Ir was deposited onto an atomically clean and smooth Ir(100) plane as observed in a field ion microscope. Following thermally activated surface self-diffusion the adatom was field desorbed and mass analyzed. Detection of the 193Ir isotope in one-half of the cases demonstrates conclusively that atomic exchange can occur during surface self-diffusion.
ISSN:0039-6028
1879-2758
DOI:10.1016/j.susc.2020.121564