Long-range adsorbate interactions mediated by a two-dimensional electron gas

Abstract

We report on long-range interactions between adsorbates on metal surfaces with a surface state. A comparison of three adsorbate/substrate systems [Cu/Cu(111), Co/Cu(111), and Co/Ag(111)] suggests the general existence of such interactions and shows up common characteristics. In all cases, the interaction energy (formula presented) manifests itself up to a distance of 60 Å, decays as (formula presented) Our data are in excellent agreement with theory and establish the link between the spatial variation of the interaction energy and the adsorbate scattering properties. We demonstrate that the long-range interactions stabilize an ordered two-dimensional (2D) gas of adsorbates and thus create states of dilute 2D matter. © 2002 The American Physical Society.