LEEM and MEM studies of spatiotemporal pattern formation

Spatiotemporal pattern formation has been investigated with Wow energy elec tron microscopy (LEEM) and mirror electron microscopy (MEM) during the cata lytic oxidation of CO on Pt{110} under both oscillatory and stationary cond itions. Due to higher resolution and richer contrast than in previous PEEM studies, it has been possible to investigate the details of the nucleation and propagation of reaction-diffusion fronts which make up the patterns. Fu rther, new and more complex patterns have been discovered which demonstrate the importance of both global coupling and reaction-induced roughening.