Simulation of adatom clustering on a stepped surface

Abstract

Study of the interaction and evolution behaviour of adatoms is fundamental to many surface phenomena. In the present paper, a continuum mechanics method, based on the force dipole concept, is presented to study the evolution of adatoms adsorbed on a smooth or stepped surface. The effects of elastic and van der Waals interactions are examined. It is found that the elastic interaction among adatoms usually serves as the main driving force for the clustering behaviour of adatoms and that the presence of surface defects, such as steps, may significantly influence the evolutionary arrangement of interacting adatoms.

Adsorption-induced resonance frequency shift in Timoshenko microbeams

“…When an atom/molecule adsorbs on a surface, it may induce a local change in the surface morphology [38]. By analyzing the adatom-induced elastic field, Zhang et al [39] studied the clustering behavior of adatoms on a stepped surface. In the present paper, for simplicity, we neglect the local surface deformation induced by the adatoms.…”

Theoretical analysis of resonance frequency change induced by adsorption

“…When an atom/molecule adsorbs on a surface, it may produce a local change in surface morphology [33]. By analysing the adatom-induced elastic field, Zhang et al [34] have studied the clustering behaviour of adatoms on a stepped surface. In this paper, for simplicity, we neglect the local surface deformation induced by the adatoms.…”