X-Ray Scattering Studies: The Structure and Melting of Pb on Cu(110) Surfaces

The melting of two-dimensional structures has been the subject of considerable theoretical [65.1] and experimental [65.2] interest. One such system which several groups have studied is Pb deposited onto a Cu(110) surface, first reported by Herwion andRhead [65.3]. Mavva, Fuoss and Eiseribevgev (MFE) used Grazing Incidence X-ray Scattering (GIS) to confirm that the as-deposited monolayer exhibited a p(5 × l) structure [65.2] and determined that the initial melting temperature of the overlayer was near the bulk melting temperature of 327°C, but that the melted monolayer resolidified in an incommensurate structure which melted at 240°C. Subsequent melting of the incommensurate phase was reversible with an apparent second-order melting transition.