Phase coexistence during surface phase transitions

Citation
Jb. Hannon et al., Phase coexistence during surface phase transitions, PHYS REV L, 86(21), 2001, pp. 4871-4874
Citations number
19
Categorie Soggetti
Physics
Journal title
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
ISSN journal
00319007 → ACNP
Volume
86
Issue
21
Year of publication
2001
Pages
4871 - 4874
Database
ISI
SICI code
0031-9007(20010521)86:21<4871:PCDSPT>2.0.ZU;2-L
Abstract
In contrast to standard thermodynamic models, we observe phase coexistence over an extended temperature range at a first-order surface phase transitio n. We have measured the domain evolution of the Si(111)-(7 X 7) to (1 X 1)p hase transition with temperature, using low-energy electron microscopy. Com parison with detailed, quantitative theoretical predictions shows that coex istence is due to long-range elastic and electrostatic domain interactions. Phase coexistence is predicted to be a universal feature of surface phase transitions.