Coexistence of nanowire-like hex and (1 × 1) phases in the topmost layer of Au(100) surface

Abstract

Scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculations were used to study the structure of the Au(100) surface after ion bombardment. The results indicate a development of two phases: the quasi-hexagonal (hex) and the (1 × 1) on the surface. A decrease in the number of surface atoms caused by ion bombardment leads to the development of a coexistence of phases inside the surface layer. Our experimental data and theoretical results rule out a scenario that the unreconstructed (1 × 1) domains under study represent a subsurface atomic layer revealed by ion sputtering. The hex phase is anisotropic, with the quantized width in accord with (6n + 1) formula. In certain conditions, nanowire-like structures consisting of seven atomic rows of alternating height are developed on the surface.