Time-resolved structural study of Pb(100).

Abstract

Time-resolved reflection high-energy electron diffraction is used to study the structural behavior of Pb(100) subjected to 200 ps laser pulses. Analysis of the electron diffraction intensity indicates that residual order is present on the surface at a temperature of 615\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}20 K, where the bulk melting temperature of Pb is 600.7 K. This implies that the disordered film that forms on Pb(100) is stable up to the bulk melting temperature and above.