Spatial probability distribution of adsorbate atoms.

Abstract

In order to access the dynamics of surface diffusion or of surface chemical reactions it is necessary to determine the spatial probability distributions of the adsorbed atoms or molecules rather than their average positions. Here we demonstrate how such a distribution can be determined from scanned-energy mode photoelectron diffraction data using the maximum entropy method. As a test case we have chosen the distribution of the carbon atom in the methoxy species adsorbed on Ni(111). Both simulated and experimental data are used.