Surface reconstruction induced electrically in two steps

Abstract

Field electron microscopy (FEM) studies on the reconstruction in two steps are reported. The ordering of crystal plane terraces of the W(1 0 0) tip is observed under favorable conditions. An initial thermal field treatment is applied to obtain a relative ideal smaller tip around the [1 0 0] orientation. An unusual build-up process is induced electrically and ordered arrangement patterns of atoms and clusters of a W(1 0 0) surface covered with oxygen can be obtained at 1300 K by FEM. The migration process of terraces can be in situ observed. The formation of a nanometer size protrusion on tip apex with terrace structure is introduced to explain the ordered arrangement patterns.