Interplay between electronic states and structure during Au faceting

Abstract

Au(111) vicinal surfaces are characteristic examples of two-phase segregation or faceting. Between ∼4° and 9.5° miscut, the surface exhibits hilland-valley structures formed by bunches of relatively wide (d w - 36-41 Å) and narrow (dn - 14 Å) terraces. The evolution of surface electronic states in such a faceted system is followed using a curved crystal. Beyond 4° the surface state splits into distinct dw and dn bands. Our analysis suggests the crucial role of surface states in defining the characteristic dw and dn sizes during Au faceting. © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft.