Pb on $\mathrm{Si}\left(111\right)\text{−}(7\times 7)$ shows surprising nucleation and mass transport dynamics at odds with standard theories. To create local imbalances on stable Pb islands we use the tip of a scanning force microscope. We enforce a short, local contact between the island and our tip. The subsequent island height growth and the local contact potential difference are studied via scanning force microscopy and Kelvin probe force microscopy. Though the island has a large volume increase after the contact, we observe that its surrounding wetting layer shows the same Pb density decrease as the global wetting layer. This indicates a collective density thinning of the wetting layer.

Close

PrevNext

View figure in article

• Diffusion
• Nucleation on surfaces
• Surface growth
• Epitaxy
• Noncontact atomic force microscopy