Resonant Diffusion on Solid Surfaces

Abstract

A new approach to Brownian motion of atomic clusters on solid surfaces is developed. The main problem discussed is the dependence of the diffusion coefficient on the fitness between the surface static potential and the internal cluster configuration. It is shown this dependence is non-monotonous which is the essence of the so-called resonant diffusion. Assuming internal motions of the cluster quicker than its translation, adiabatic separation of these variables is possible and a relatively simple expression for the diffusion coefficient is obtained. In this way, the role of cluster vibrations is accounted for, thus leading to a more complex resonance in the cluster surface mobility.KeywordsBrownian MotionAtomic ClusterOverdamped LimitInternal Potential EnergyAverage Potential ActingThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.