VIBRATIONAL HEATING AND ATOM-TRANSFER WITH THE STM

The high current density of the STM can result in substantial vibratio nal heating via inelastic electron tunneling. Under certain conditions , the vibrational distribution at a given current-density is approxima tely Maxwell-Boltzmann, with a characteristic temperature that reflect s a balance between excitation by the tunneling electrons and relaxati on processes. A simple expression is given for the steady-state vibrat ional temperature in the presence of tunneling current. Calculations i ndicate that vibrational heating by inelastic tunneling plays an impor tant role in the transfer of Xe atoms between sample and tip surfaces. Directionality of Xe atom-transfer, and applications to other systems are discussed.