Capillary waves and thermodynamics of multisteps on Pt(1 1 1)

C. P. Flynn, M. Ondrejcek, W. Swiech

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We describe observations of multisteps, up to n=5 steps high, that form on Pt(111) at temperatures above 1400 K. Using step fluctuation spectroscopy, we determine the multistep stiffnesses, β̃n, and so estimate their line free energies, assumed isotropic. Measurements of mode relaxation times τnq, for modes of wavevector q, reveal that β̃nτnq/n2 depends only weakly on step height, n, in agreement with capillary theory. From the measured energies, we infer that multisteps have large free energies of internal motion, such that the net thermal free energy, including capillary modes, undergoes only small changes when steps merge.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)161-166
Number of pages6
JournalChemical Physics Letters
Volume378
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 29 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Capillary waves and thermodynamics of multisteps on Pt(1 1 1)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this