MECHANISM OF NANOSTRUCTURE FORMATION WITH THE SCANNING TUNNELING MICROSCOPE

In scanning tunneling microscope experiments with high voltage pulses hillocks are formed on the substrate. The conjecture which explains th ese nanostructures in terms of held ion evaporation is discussed and r ejected. Another model for the Au-Au system is proposed on the basis o f local melting of the tip by the Nottingham effect. The resistive Jou le heating is shown to be negligible.